The Road to Westphalia

The Peace of Westphalia of 1648 stands as one of the most transformative milestones in the history of international relations. Emerging from the devastation of the Thirty Years’ War, which claimed millions of lives across Europe, the treaty redefined the way nations interacted and established principles that continue to shape global politics today.

Before thePeace of Westphalia, political authority was deeply intertwined with religious legitimacy. Empires and the Catholic Church often claimed supranational control, leading to endless conflicts over faith and power. The treaty broke from this tradition by affirming the sovereignty of individual states. Each nation gained the right to govern its territory without external interference, regardless of its religion or internal politics. This principle ofnational sovereigntyandnon-interferencebecame the cornerstone of the modern international system.

ThePeace of Westphaliaalso marked a shift from domination by brute force to cooperation through agreement. Nations recognized that stability could be achieved not only by military might but also by respecting boundaries and forging diplomatic consensus. This framework laid the foundation for centuries of European stability, enabling technological innovation, economic growth, and the eventual expansion of European influence across the globe.

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