jan 1, 1648 - PHASE 4: Peace of Westphalia in 1648

Description:

• It ended the Thirty Years’ War in the Holy Roman Empire.
• It was signed in the German cities of Münster and Osnabrück.
• It’s one of the most important peace settlements in European history.
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The treaties recognized the sovereignty of the empire’s constituent states, allowing them to conduct their own foreign policy and determine their own religion.

Calvinism was granted legal status alongside Catholicism and Lutheranism. The emperor’s authority was sharply limited, while regional princes gained unprecedented autonomy. France and Sweden emerged as major powers, while the Habsburgs saw their influence diminished.

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