The seeds go back to the French Revolution
It was a “birth pang”. The old idea of government being subject to God’s authority, was replaced with the 20th century version: Mao, Stalin, Hitler, etc. — ie,
the highest morality now becomes the will of the dictator.
And with the idea of God’s authority removed, we are now ready for worship of a worldwide dictator/hero, a la Hitler, Mao, Stalin, etc., but bigger — a hero figure to rule the whole world, and with whom mankind will become enthralled...(and without God’s restraining influence)
I think you’re on track. Austerlitz and all.