What is the significance of the Peace of Westphalia?

The significance of the Peace of Westphalia lies primarily in its establishment of principles of sovereignty and non-interference among states. Signed in 1648, this series of treaties concluded the Thirty Years' War in Europe, which had embroiled numerous countries in a devastating conflict primarily over religious disputes between Catholics and Protestants, as well as political rivalries.

The Peace of Westphalia effectively set the foundation for modern international relations by introducing the concept of state sovereignty, which asserts that each state has authority over its own territory and independence from external intervention in its domestic affairs. This marked a critical shift from a feudal system where various authorities (like monarchs and the church) had overlapping powers and claims over territories to a system where states were recognized as the primary actors in the international arena.

This principle laid the groundwork for future diplomatic relations and the development of the modern state system, ultimately influencing international law and the conduct of states in the ensuing centuries. The treaties began to define the boundaries of legitimate claims to power, which would influence European politics significantly.

In contrast, other choices do not capture the primary outcome of the Peace of Westphalia. While the Protestant Reformation was an important event preceding the treaties, it was not initiated by them