Peace of Westphalia

In 1517, Martin Luther wrote his famous 95 theses. A collection of insults towards the Catholic religion which at the time had become corrupted with concubinage, priests who practiced the *** of young children and those who did not believe in God. Martin Luther rises therefore and decides to say something on behalf of people who want a pure Catholic Church. One hundred years later, these same arguments are at the origin of a bloody war between protestants and Catholic. A war that will be known as 'Thirty years war'. One of the biggest rivalries that is born during this war, will be the one between the House of Habsburg and the German States that have adopted Protestantism as a result of the Counter-Reformation. Despite this rivalry, both sides who are opposed in this religious war are protestants who are supported by the United Provinces, the Scandinavian countries and the France and the other side, is the Spain, the Habsburgs, the German Holy Roman Empire and Catholic. In 1618, the war began following an incident including King Ferdinand II and two of its stewards. Protestant rebels enter the House of Bohemia and throw two stewards of Ferdinand II by the window. This will trigger the "thirty years war". Hello, I have for his Majesty Ferdinand II to deliver a statement on the part of the Bohemian protestants Follow Me My Majesty Ferdinand II, a Messenger is here with an announcement. What do you messanger? I am here on behalf of the protestants and Bohemian. Your attacks on our churches not stopped then Protestant Rebel against you and we declare you war. We will kill you and all your people if needed for your stop. If it's war you want, this is the war that you're going to have. Leave here immediately before I kill you.Guards get this vermin out of here. So we now assign certain territories to certain empires and discuss control of certain countries and how to manage religions in Europe. I believe that the Sweden receive territories since they lost a lot. we also want control of the Baltic Sea. Then the Sweden therefore receives control of the Baltic Sea and the territories will decide later. However King louis, I do not want losing territories I earned during the war. If this is what you want and it seems no objections then you could keep those territories. Now we must negotiate the fate of the Empire. What do you think should happen to them? Should divide the Empire in 350 States like this, they will unite and win power. Awarded! And what is given to France as territories? I think we should award you 3 territories. Now it must decide which... Big thanks from the by all citizens of France. I had the idea of Alsace, Breisach and Pinerolo since they belong to the Empire. Who vote for this? So it's decided, the France gets these 3 territories on the part of Ferdinand III and the Archduke of Austria; Charles The Sweden will receive control of the Baltic Sea and North of the Germany territory. All in favour? Awarded! We United Provinces want the sovereignty of our territory and to be free from control by another State. I would also like the independence of my people and to have the sovereignty of Austria. Who is in favor of giving sovereignty to the United Province and the Austria? Awarded! Congratulations Lord Leopold and Lord william, your territory are now free. My Lords, this war was caused by two religions opposed. But a man should have the right to practice his religion without risk of being killed. In addition, certain religion should be viewed as a real religion. For example, my people and I practice the Calvinism in Transylvania, we join you at your side to help you and all what we want and the recognition that Calvinism is a religion a legitimate. He is right. We believe in the same God and jesus christ. Upon the signature of this Treaty, each State will have the control of religion of their people and will not be attacked. And my Lord Bethlen, thank you for presenting this. I declare and I believe that everyone here is in agreement with me in saying that Calvinism is now a legitimate religion. All religions are now going to live equally and respected in Europe. The signing of this Treaty marks a new era for the world. An era of peace and collaboration, an era where all are equal and where the States are sovereign in their own affairs. This will prevent wars and conflicts. It is done. We are all in agreement and the treaty of Westphalia has been signed The thirty years war was a very bloody war for the people of the time. New techniques of war came to be introduced and many people are dead. Entire civilizations were devastated including German States which participated in the war because a large portion of the battles took place in Germany. Including losses on both sides, we can count four to seven million casualties. Entire States have been dashed and poverty struck Europeans. New diseases have made outbreaks while Europe's economy was in total decline. It was notably destroyed by this war that spared nothing and nobody. But if one wants to consider what this war has brought more positive, one can speak of the Treaty of Westphalia and the division of European States. First, the distribution of European States to greatly enhanced the France and Sweden who earn significant territories. This will bring the world map at the time that we know today. In addition, the Treaty of Westphalia brings new concepts that will be very important when talking about international law. Concepts that will be equally important for the people of the time, people of the 21e century. Two concepts will arise with this Treaty; The concept of sovereignty of a State stipulates that any State is master of its own internal and external affairs. No other State may intrude into the Affairs of another State without its consent. Subsequently, the concept of legal equality stipulates that any State or person is viewed fairly and equal before the law. No one gets favors under any circumstances. In this way, the global population is equal in the eyes of the law and this reduces the risk of disputes. While it is true the thirty years war brought much damage to the world, but it also made things very important that us are still important today.