CLASS 7 · LEARNING KNOWLEDGE

Thirty Years' War and Peace of Westphalia – Basic Principles

How it works

The Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) was a complex conflict in Europe that was triggered by the Defenestration of Prague and involved many European powers. It began as a religious and constitutional conflict in the Holy Roman Empire and developed into a power struggle between princes and states. The war led to enormous destruction, population losses and economic decline, especially in the Holy Roman Empire. The Peace of Westphalia of 1648 ended the war, strengthened the autonomy of the Imperial Estates and permanently changed the European balance of power. The treaties of Münster and Osnabrück are often regarded as an important step toward the modern state system.

Note
The Thirty Years' War arose from religious, political and power-political conflicts. The Peace of Westphalia ended it, reorganized the coexistence of the confessions and strengthened the rights of the Imperial Estates.

An example

Which event is considered the trigger of the Thirty Years' War?

The Defenestration of Prague 1618 is considered the trigger, because Bohemian Protestant nobles threw imperial governors out of a window of Prague Castle and thus escalated the conflict.

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Own explanation and own practice exercises by AmyMath. Subject reference framework: History. The topic assignment may vary by federal state.