In 1989 theEastGermanpressspokespersonGunterSchabowskiwassettoannounceaneasingoftravelrestrictionsbetweenEastandWest, buthadnotbeeninformedofthespecificsbeforedeliveringthemessageforthefirsttime.
Instead, however, itsowedtheseedsfirmortofollowthetermsrequiredthatGermanysurrenderedterritory, restrictitsmilitaryforcesandpaycostlyreparationsforthedestructionThewarhadwrought.
Hernephew, GermanbornPeterthethird, was a greatadmirerofPrussia's Frederickthesecond, andRussiapulledoutofthewarandsigned a peacetreatywithumsavinghisidolandthecountryfromcertainruin.
Thisallowed a coalitionofalliestodrivehimtodefeat, forcinghisabdicationandleadingtohisexiletotheislandofElbaintheMediterraneanin 18 14, still a sovereign.
NumberoneHitlerattacksRussiaDespitebothAdolfHitlerofNaziGermanyandJosephStalinoftheSovietUnionsigning a nonaggressionpact, theformerlaunchedanunprecedentedassaultonRussia.