Which event marked the beginning of the decline of the Holy Roman Empire?

The Thirty Years War is widely regarded as a significant event that marked the beginning of the decline of the Holy Roman Empire. This conflict, which raged from 1618 to 1648, involved a complex mix of religious and political struggles primarily between Protestant and Catholic states within the empire, as well as external powers such as France and Sweden. The war devastated large parts of Central Europe, leading to immense loss of life and destruction of infrastructure.

The Peace of Westphalia, which concluded the war, diminished the power of the emperor and allowed for greater autonomy of the individual states within the empire. This shift weakened the central authority of the Holy Roman Empire, as the various princes and electors gained more independence, undermining the cohesion that had previously characterized the empire.

Key aspects leading to the decline included the fragmentation of political authority and the emergence of competing regional powers. Thus, the Thirty Years War not only caused immediate destruction but also contributed to a long-term decline in the influence and power of the Holy Roman Empire, setting the stage for further disintegration in the subsequent centuries.