Vestfalíusáttmálans

The Peace of Westphalia refers to a series of peace treaties signed in 1648 in the Westphalian cities of Osnabrück and Münster. These treaties ended the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) in the Holy Roman Empire and the Eighty Years' War (1568-1648) between Spain and the Dutch Republic. The negotiations involved many European powers, including the Holy Roman Empire, Sweden, France, and the Dutch Republic.

The treaties established principles that profoundly shaped the modern state system. Key outcomes included the recognition of the sovereignty of states within their own borders and the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states. This marked a significant shift away from the medieval ideal of a universal Christian empire. Religious tolerance was also a crucial aspect, with the treaties reaffirming the Peace of Augsburg and extending its provisions to Calvinism. The territorial boundaries of many European states were redrawn, and the independence of the Swiss Confederation and the Dutch Republic was formally acknowledged.

The Peace of Westphalia is often considered a foundational moment in international relations, laying the groundwork for the concept of state sovereignty and the balance of power that would characterize European diplomacy for centuries to come. Its principles continue to be debated and reinterpreted in contemporary discussions about international law and global governance.