Treaty of Westphalia

Questions for Further Study

• 1.: In what ways did the Treaty of Westphalia transform Europe? Put differently, how did the treaty mark a transition from medieval to more modern modes of thought in the political sphere?
• 2.: Read the Treaty of Westphalia in conjunction with the Dutch Declaration of Independence, which began an independence movement in the Netherlands that culminated in the Treaty of Münster, which was part of the Treaty of Westphalia. What contribution did the Dutch make to the political events that led to the Treaty of Westphalia?
• 3.: Would the Treaty of Westphalia and the events leading to it have taken place if Martin Luther had not posted his Ninety-Five Theses in Germany? Explain.
• 4.: Like the Treaty of Westphalia, the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 tried to impose a lasting peace in Europe. How were the events that led to the treaties similar, and how were they different? Did the two treaties succeed? What were their fundamental weaknesses?
• 5.: Discussions of the Treaty of Westphalia and the events surrounding it often focus on kings, popes, and empires. But how did the treaty—and the events surrounding it—affect the ordinary person?