Definition

Proper noun A major series of peace treaties signed in 1648 that ended the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) in the Holy Roman Empire and the Eighty Years' War (1568–1648) between Spain and the Dutch Republic. It is a foundational event in modern international relations, establishing key principles like state sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of other recognized states.

Usage

The term "Peace of Westphalia" is used historically and academically to refer to the specific treaties and the system of international order they inaugurated. - It is always capitalized as it is a proper noun referring to a specific historical event. - It is typically used with the definite article "the."

Examples

• The Peace of Westphalia is often cited as the origin of the modern state system.
• Historians debate the long-term consequences of the Peace of Westphalia.
• The negotiations leading to the Peace of Westphalia were complex and protracted.

Advanced Usage

• "Westphalian sovereignty": A principle derived from the Peace of Westphalia, describing the concept that each state has exclusive sovereignty over its own territory and domestic affairs.
  • The principle of Westphalian sovereignty is increasingly challenged by globalization.
• "Post-Westphalian": A term used in political theory to describe the era or systems where traditional state sovereignty is perceived to be in decline.
  • Some scholars argue we live in a post-Westphalian world.

Variants and Related Words

• Westphalian (adjective): Of or relating to the Peace of Westphalia or the Westphalia region.
  • The Westphalian model of statehood dominated for centuries.
• Treaties of Münster and Osnabrück: These are the two constituent treaties that together form the Peace of Westphalia.

Synonyms

• The Westphalian settlement
• The Peace of 1648

Related Concepts and Phrases

• "Westphalian system": The international order based on the principles established by the Peace of Westphalia, characterized by sovereign, independent states.
  • The Westphalian system provided the framework for European diplomacy for centuries.
• "Balance of power": A key concept in international relations that was effectively institutionalized in Europe following the Peace of Westphalia.
  • The Peace of Westphalia helped to establish a balance of power among European states.

Noun

1. the peace treaty that ended the Thirty Years' War in 1648