Peace of Westphalia
1648 CE · Early Modern
The Peace of Westphalia consisted of treaties signed in 1648 in Osnabrück and Münster, ending the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) in the Holy Roman Empire and the Eighty Years' War between Spain and the Dutch Republic. Negotiated by Ferdinand III, Count Maximilian von Trauttmansdorff, and Cardinal Jules Mazarin, among others, the treaties established principles of state sovereignty, religious tolerance within states, and independent foreign policy rights. The settlement formally recognized Dutch and Swiss independence, reduced Holy Roman Emperor authority, strengthened German princes' autonomy, and designated France and Sweden as peace guarantors.
Key Figures
Ferdinand IIICount Maximilian von TrauttmansdorffCardinal Jules Mazarin
Locations
MünsterOsnabrück
Topics
diplomacyreligious tolerancethirty years warsovereigntyinternational law
Connected Events — 2 Connections
Council of Trent's doctrinal codification contributed to religious wars that were finally resolved at Westphalia, establishing principle of cuius regio, eius religio Council of Trent Convened
Ended the Thirty Years War and established principles of state sovereignty that validated the governmental structures Sweden had developed during the conflict Swedish Instrument of Government
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