One of the most important events of the 17th century - the 30-year war 1618-1648.It was attended by almost all European countries, it has left behind millions of casualties.A crucial point in the war put an agreement called "Peace of Westphalia".Its results have been crucial to the entire future of European history.He was imprisoned on 15 and 24 October 1648, after lengthy negotiations, which lasted from 1644 and could not meet the conditions for all participants.
Peace of Westphalia in 1648
He combined Münster and Osnabrück peace treaties concluded this year in Westphalia.Muenster held talks with representatives of Catholicism, and in Osnabrück - from the Protestant side.Sometimes referred to the Peace of Westphalia and the agreement concluded on January 30 of that year, Spain and the United Provinces of the Netherlands, the Eighty Years' War that ended because the struggle between these countries and the researchers believe part of the Thirty Years.
What is the union contracts?
Osnabrück contract is an agreement concluded between the Holy Roman Emperor, Sweden and its allies.
Munster the Roman Empire has signed with France and the countries that supported it (this includes Holland, Venice, Savoy, Hungary).These two states have taken such an active part in the fate of a large part of Europe, because in the third, and most important, the critical period of the Thirty Years War, they contributed to the loosening of the forces of the Romans, which contributed to their fragmentation in the future.Peace of Westphalia meant mainly provisions which define territorial changes, the political structure and religious in the Holy Roman Empire.
Results of the 30-year war
The confrontation ended with the same countries?Under the terms of the Peace of Westphalia Spain recognized the independence of the Netherlands.Also, according to this document, the country that won the Thirty Years' War - France and Sweden were appointed guarantors of compliance with the world.These mighty power to control the actions of the signed contract, and without their consent, it could not change a single article.Thus, all of Europe was protected from any global changes that could lead to a threat to the security of many countries.And because, thanks to the agreement, the German Emperor was powerless, the other great powers can not be afraid of his influence.Peace of Westphalia contributed to significant territorial redrawing, especially in favor of the victorious powers of France and Sweden.
One of these radical changes on the map was the fact that under the terms of the Peace of Westphalia Spain recognized the independence of the United Provinces.This state, began its war of liberation against Spain as a Catholic rebellion in 1648 received international recognition.
what got the country that won the war?
According to the decision taken at the signing of the Peace of Westphalia, the empire of Sweden paid an indemnity, is 5 million thalers.In addition, she departed Rugen Island, Western Pomerania and part of the East (along with Stettin), the city of Wismar, the Bishopric of Verdun and the archbishopric of Bremen (Bremen city itself there was not a member).
Sweden also got the mouth of many navigable rivers in northern Germany.Having at its disposal the German principalities, the King of Sweden had the opportunity to send deputies to the Imperial Diet.
France signing of the Peace of Westphalia has made it possible to obtain ownership of the Habsburgs, located in Alsace, but without the city of Strasbourg, as well as sovereignty over several bishoprics in Lorraine.The new ownership after signing the contract and increase the impact of the country helped it to take a position in the future hegemony in Europe.
German states of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Brunswick-Lüneburg and Brandenburg, which was supported by the victorious country, also received benefits - they were able to expand their holdings as a result of joining secularized bishoprics and monasteries.For Saxony as a result of this agreement it was annexed Luzatsiya and entered in the Bavarian Upper Palatinate.Elector Brandegburgsky also received extensive in their possession of the land on which the later Prussia formed.
What has brought the world to the Germans?
Terms of the Peace of Westphalia was such that the German emperor has lost a significant amount of their former rights.At the same time the German princes became independent from the Roman ruler and were able to pursue an independent foreign and domestic policy.For example, they can participate in decisions about the outbreak of war and conclusion of peace in their office was to determine the size of taxes, largely depended on them the adoption of laws in the Roman Empire.
feudal princes could also enter into treaties with other countries.The only thing that was not available to them, - forging alliances with other powers against the ruler of the Roman Empire.Speaking modern language, after the signing of the treaty specific German princes became subjects of international law, and to take an active part in the political life of Europe.Strengthening their positions contributed to the formation of the federal structure of modern Germany.
religious life after 1648
With regard to the religious sphere, as a result of the Peace of Westphalia in Germany have equal rights Catholics, Calvinists and Lutherans and legalized the secularization of church lands, which was carried out in the 20's of the XVIIcentury.From now on, electors could not detect his subjects for their religious affiliation.In addition, under the terms of the Peace of Westphalia Spain recognized the independence of Holland.Recall that the liberation movement in this country began with demonstrations against Catholic Spain.In fact, this agreement legitimized the political fragmentation of Germany, graduating in this imperial history of this nation.
Thus, the Peace of Westphalia has significantly strengthened the power of France, freeing it from arch-rival, Spain, to qualify for the first part of all European states.
Another important function of the treaty, which historians say: it is the basis for all subsequent European agreements until the XVIII century., When the French bourgeois revolution took place.Under the terms of the Peace of Westphalia Spain recognized the independence of the Northern Netherlands.Also, the international legal recognition of the Swiss Union.
value Peace of Westphalia
Thus, the treaty called the event, laid the foundation for the modern world order, which provides for the world of nation-states and the effect of certain principles of international law.The principle of political balance, probably it was formed as a result of the provisions of the Peace of Westphalia.The tradition of solving complex territorial, legal, religious problems in the relationship of two or more States, with the help of interference of other powerful and influential European powers appeared it since.
value of the 30-year war for the formation of the current legal system
concept of "Westphalian system", which relates to the world of law and appeared after 1648, represents the sovereignty of any state to ensure its legitimate territory.Until the XIX century the rules of the contract and the conditions of the Peace of Westphalia is largely determined by the law of the Holy Roman Empire.
After the agreement is particularly strengthened the rights of reformed Christianity with the traditional Roman Catholic Christianity, which is important from the point of view of cultural science.However, many scientists are certain shortcomings in the provisions, which after the signing had to live the people of Germany.So, they were forced to practice a religion, the chosen ruler, that is essentially religious freedom did not exist.But, despite all the shortcomings, the Treaty of Westphalia was really the first (and successful) attempt to create a system of international law.
