More than three hundred and sixty years ago, in Europe, tired from the long, bloody conflict between the two countries, an event that not only extinguished the last sparks of war, but also largely determined the future of the European continent.It is a Westphalian world.The agreement was named so because it was done at two locations in Germany - Osnabrück and Münster - in 1648. Both belonged to the Westphalian region.The format of this multilateral agreement was discussed seven years ago, in 1641, in Hamburg.Starting this year, negotiations were held, during which the war did not stop.It ended only when the Peace of Westphalia was accepted by all parties.The talks were held between the imperial ambassadors and French - in Munster, and Swedish ambassadors and Imperial ranks - in the city of Osnabrück.
Peace of Westphalia was the end of the Thirty Years War, which is notable because it was the first attended by almost all European countries, and Russia as well.An exception was Switzerland.It began as a confrontation between the two main on while the European religions - Catholicism and supported by Rome "heretical" Protestantism - and ended the resistance of the power of the Habsburg dynasty.
Westphalian world has become notable for the fact that its decision to request the convocation of the first pan-European Congress actually.It Protestants got what so dreamed of before - the same rights as Catholics, which was made possible due to the principle of religious tolerance.Consequently, in the relations between states weakened religious, inter-religious factor.The principle of "whose country, and of faith", which became the cause of wars between states of different faiths, was abolished.Moreover, it has been eliminated hierarchical system of relations between the European chapters of which the leading role was played by the German Emperor and the kings obeyed him.In place of this came the principle of State sovereignty.Each of the Kings got the same rights as the emperor of Germany.The new European order is descended from here.I must say that the Peace of Westphalia was completely solved the problems and contradictions that have led to a long and Thirty Years War.
However, this agreement was fatal for the mighty German Empire before stretching in the middle of Europe.Emperor of the state association was no longer the person number one in Europe, and the kings of the neighboring countries have the right to do business and make alliances without its agreement with the sole caveat - "without harming the interests of the Emperor."In fact, the power of the latter in all of Europe, except for Germany, was abolished.In addition, the country, which he managed directly, lost a number of areas and was soon broken up into many lands, as this division also included the Westphalian peace treaty.After all, the right to discretion and alliances between them have received not only kings, but also the imperial officials.In fact, the country has been fragmented into small independent principality, the emperor leveled, and the prince's tyranny has been virtually legalized.Over time, each of the small principalities appeared its own currency, which is why there have been problems with trade between the public entities.The unity of Germany was destroyed and rebuilt only in the late nineteenth century.City Verden, Wismar and Bremen, as well as the mouth of the Oder River, the island of Rügen and a large part of Pomerania became a possession of the Swedish crown.In addition, Switzerland has gained full independence.
Peace of Westphalia was the basis for the vast majority of all subsequent peace treaties, not only between European countries.Hardly any other agreement has had a serious impact on the political system in Europe and many other countries.Westphalian model of the world can be seen as a system of relations between the countries, which are the objects of the independent powers (and sovereignty is crucial for the state, not the governor), and how the system of world order, in which the actors are independent countries.
