The Treaty of Westphalia
October 24, 1648
Introduction by Donna Morley: The Treaty of Westphalia ended the Thirty Years
War, on October 24, 1648. The war involved many European countries, including
Germany, the Hapsburg Empire, France, Sweden, Bohemia, Spain , Holland,
Scotland and Denmark. The thirty years of fighting was considered a religious war
between the Reformed Church (Calvinist) and the Catholic Church.
The war began when the Austrian Habsburgs tried to impose Roman Catholicism
on the Calvinists in Bohemia. While earlier the Bohemian Calvinists had extracted
a promise of toleration from their Catholic king, things changed when Ferdinand
became king of Bohemia. He refused to honor the promise of the previous king
(Rudolf II, also Roman emperor).
Forced belief in Catholicism didn’t go over well with the Bohemian Calvinists, nor
with other countries. For instance, because French Protestants were being
suppressed, France sided with the Bohemians. And naturally, Rome decided to be
against France. France decided to be against Spain because of it’s defense of
Rome. Because the Swedish King feared that a “Papal deluge” was threatening his
country, it too decided to join the war effort. Other countries also joined the war,
including Germany.
Germany would suffer greatly losing one third of it’s population directly or indirectly
from the war. Also, its fields went unattended and entire industries were
destroyed. Such devastation wouldn’t be seen again in Europe until World War I.
The Treaty was welcomed by opponents too exhausted to continue on with the
war. It allowed for territorial redistribution and the allowance of private worship,
liberty of conscience, and the right of emigration. It also affirmed that the German
states could be Catholic or Protestant at the choice of their rulers. While this was a
step in the right direction, it still was a far cry from religious liberty--again, because
people were forced to hold the beliefs of the royalty who ruled their area.
Pope Innocent X, who wanted everyone to be Catholic, condemned this treaty on
January 1, 1651. His opinions were disregarded.
Below is the original Treaty of Westphalia, 1648.
The Original Treaty of Westphalia
In the name of the most holy and individual Trinity: Be it known to all, and every
one whom it may concern, or to whom in any manner it may belong, That for
many Years past, Discords and Civil Divisions being stir'd up in the Roman Empire,
which increas'd to such a degree, that not only all Germany, but also the
neighbouring Kingdoms, and France particularly, have been involv'd in the Disorders
of a long and cruel War: And in the first place, between the most Serene and most
Puissant Prince and Lord, Ferdinand the Second, of famous Memory, elected
Roman Emperor, always August, King of Germany, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia,
Croatia, Slavonia, Arch-Duke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, Brabant, Styria,
Carinthia, Carniola, Marquiss of Moravia, Duke of Luxemburgh, the Higher and
Lower Silesia, of Wirtemburg and Teck, Prince of Suabia, Count of Hapsburg, Tirol,
Kyburg and Goritia, Marquiss of the Sacred Roman Empire, Lord of Burgovia, of the
Higher and Lower Lusace, of the Marquisate of Slavonia, of Port Naon and Salines,
with his Allies and Adherents on one side; and the most Serene, and the most
Puissant Prince, Lewis the Thirteenth, most Christian King of France and Navarre,
with his Allies and Adherents on the other side. And after their Decease, between
the most Serene and Puissant Prince and Lord, Ferdinand the Third, elected Roman
Emperor, always August, King of Germany, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia,
Slavonia, Arch-Duke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, Brabant, Styria, Carinthia,
Carniola, Marquiss of Moravia, Duke of Luxemburg, of the Higher and Lower Silesia,
of Wirtemburg and Teck, Prince of Suabia, Count of Hapsburg, Tirol, Kyburg and
Goritia, Marquiss of the Sacred Roman Empire, Burgovia, the Higher and Lower
Lusace, Lord of the Marquisate of Slavonia, of Port Naon and Salines, with his Allies
and Adherents on the one side; and the most Serene and most Puissant Prince and
Lord, Lewis the Fourteenth, most Christian King of France and Navarre, with his
Allies and Adherents on the other side: from whence ensu'd great Effusion of
Christian Blood, and the Desolation of several Provinces. It has at last happen'd, by
the effect of Divine Goodness, seconded by the Endeavours of the most Serene
Republick of Venice, who in this sad time, when all Christendom is imbroil'd, has not
ceas'd to contribute its Counsels for the publick Welfare and Tranquillity; so that on
the side, and the other, they have form'd Thoughts of an universal Peace. And for
this purpose, by a mutual Agreement and Covenant of both Partys, in the year of
our Lord 1641. the 25th of December, N.S. or the 15th O.S. it was resolv'd at
Hamburgh, to hold an Assembly of Plenipotentiary Ambassadors, who should
render themselves at Munster and Osnabrug in Westphalia the 11th of July, N.S. or
the 1st of the said month O.S. in the year 1643. The Plenipotentiary Ambassadors
on the one side, and the other, duly establish'd, appearing at the prefixt time, and
on the behalf of his Imperial Majesty, the most illustrious and most excellent Lord,
Maximilian Count of Trautmansdorf and Weinsberg, Baron of Gleichenberg,
Neustadt, Negan, Burgau, and Torzenbach, Lord of Teinitz, Knight of the Golden
Fleece, Privy Counsellor and Chamberlain to his Imperial Sacred Majesty, and
Steward of his Houshold; the Lord John Lewis, Count of Nassau, Catzenellebogen,
Vianden, and Dietz, Lord of Bilstein, Privy Counsellor to the Emperor, and Knight of
the Golden Fleece; Monsieur Isaac Volmamarus, Doctor of Law, Counsellor, and
President in the Chamber of the most Serene Lord Arch-Duke Ferdinand Charles.
And on the behalf of the most Christian King, the most eminent Prince and Lord,
Henry of Orleans, Duke of Longueville, and Estouteville, Prince and Sovereign Count
of Neuschaftel, Count of Dunois and Tancerville, Hereditary Constable of
Normandy, Governor and Lieutenant-General of the same Province, Captain of the
Cent Hommes d'Arms, and Knight of the King's Orders, &c. as also the most
illustrious and most excellent Lords, Claude de Mesmes, Count d'Avaux,
Commander of the said King's Orders, one of the Superintendents of the Finances,
and Minister of the Kingdom of France &c. and Abel Servien, Count la Roche of
Aubiers, also one of the Ministers of the Kingdom of France. And by the Mediation
and Interposition of the most illustrious and most excellent Ambassador and
Senator of Venice, Aloysius Contarini Knight, who for the space of five Years, or
thereabouts, with great Diligence, and a Spirit intirely impartial, has been inclin'd to
be a Mediator in these Affairs. After having implor'd the Divine Assistance, and
receiv'd a reciprocal Communication of Letters, Commissions, and full Powers, the
Copys of which are inserted at the end of this Treaty, in the presence and with the
consent of the Electors of the Sacred Roman Empire, the other Princes and States,
to the Glory of God, and the Benefit of the Christian World, the following Articles
have been agreed on and consented to, and the same run thus.
That there shall be a Christian and Universal Peace, and a perpetual, true, and
sincere Amity, between his Sacred Imperial Majesty, and his most Christian
Majesty; as also, between all and each of the Allies, and Adherents of his said
Imperial Majesty, the House of Austria, and its Heirs, and Successors; but chiefly
between the Electors, Princes, and States of the Empire on the one side; and all
and each of the Allies of his said Christian Majesty, and all their Heirs and
Successors, chiefly between the most Serene Queen and Kingdom of Swedeland,
the Electors respectively, the Princes and States of the Empire, on the other part.
That this Peace and Amity be observ'd and cultivated with such a Sincerity and
Zeal, that each Party shall endeavour to procure the Benefit, Honour and
Advantage of the other; that thus on all sides they may see this Peace and
Friendship in the Roman Empire, and the Kingdom of France flourish, by
entertaining a good and faithful Neighbourhood.
II.
That there shall be on the one side and the other a perpetual Oblivion, Amnesty, or
Pardon of all that has been committed since the beginning of these Troubles, in
what place, or what manner soever the Hostilitys have been practis'd, in such a
manner, that no body, under any pretext whatsoever, shall practice any Acts of
Hostility, entertain any Enmity, or cause any Trouble to each other; neither as to
Persons, Effects and Securitys, neither of themselves or by others, neither privately
nor openly, neither directly nor indirectly, neither under the colour of Right, nor by
the way of Deed, either within or without the extent of the Empire, notwithstanding
all Covenants made before to the contrary: That they shall not act, or permit to be
acted, any wrong or injury to any whatsoever; but that all that has pass'd on the
one side, and the other, as well before as during the War, in Words, Writings, and
Outrageous Actions, in Violences, Hostilitys, Damages and Expences, without any
respect to Persons or Things, shall be entirely abolish'd in such a manner that all
that might be demanded of, or pretended to, by each other on that behalf, shall be
bury'd in eternal Oblivion.
III.
And that a reciprocal Amity between the Emperor, and the Most Christian King, the
Electors, Princes and States of the Empire, may be maintain'd so much the more
firm and sincere (to say nothing at present of the Article of Security, which will be
mention'd hereafter) the one shall never assist the present or future Enemys of the
other under any Title or Pretence whatsoever, either with Arms, Money, Soldiers,
or any sort of Ammunition; nor no one, who is a Member of this Pacification, shall
suffer any Enemys Troops to retire thro' or sojourn in his