Peace of Westphalia
Münster and Osnabrück, Westphalia, Germany
What happened
Representatives of Holy Roman Emperor Ferdinand III, France, Sweden and the German princes, in all 109 delegations, negotiated the peace. The Thirty Years' War had devastated much of central Europe. From 1643, delegations from across Europe gathered in the two Westphalian towns of Münster and Osnabrück to negotiate an end to the war. After years of talks, the treaties were signed on 24 October 1648.
Why it matters
Why it matters: The peace ended the Thirty Years' War and allowed Catholics, Lutherans and Calvinists to practise their faiths, so people no longer had to follow their ruler's religion. It also recognised the independence of the Swiss Confederacy.
What came next
Sweden and France gained lands, and the Holy Roman Empire became a looser union of states. Earlier that year, Spain had recognised the independence of the Dutch Republic in a separate treaty signed at Münster.
Did you know?
The 109 delegations never all met together in one room; some arrived in 1643 and some did not leave until 1649.
Timeline
- 1618The Thirty Years' War begins.
- 1643The first delegations arrive in Westphalia.
- 30 January 1648Spain recognises Dutch independence in the Peace of Münster.
- 24 October 1648The Peace of Westphalia is signed.
- 1659France and Spain finally make peace.