Download Dr. Jakub Basista

Dr. Jakub Basista
Modern European State Formation
Meeting 2: Drifting away from the Mediaeval World? A survey of
European political systems at the eve of early modern times.
Reference: Thomas Munck, Seventeenth Century Europe, chapter 1.
Synopsis
1648 brings about the signing of the Peace of Westphalia. In reality two treaties were
signed: in Münster (Catholic states and France) and Osnabrück (Protestant states and
Sweden).
This peace agreement ended one of the longest and bloodiest conflicts of the early
modern period in European history. The balance of power changed in favor of France,
which became the leading power in Europe. Although no great border changes took
place in the Roman Empire of the German Nation, the role of the Emperor changed
significantly.
Spain at this time does not play any significant role; England in engaged in civil war,
and about to behead its king; Sweden becomes definitely the most powerful of the
Scandinavian countries, and one of the strongest in Europe. Polish-Lithuanian
Commonwealth remains the largest state in Central Europe, but its power and
importance do not match its size.
The Thirty Years War (1618-1648) may be considered a religious struggle between
the Catholics and Protestants, an old controversy between the ‘Holy Roman Emperor
of the German Nation’ and the German princes, a struggle for European
preponderance between the Habsburgs and France.
1618-1623 – Bohemian phase
1625-1629 – Danish phase
1628-1635 – Swedish phase
1635-1648 – French phase
The Treaty of Westphalia (Münster and Osnabrück) set ground for international
peace and order for almost a century.
Peace conditions:
1. Religious:
Confirmation of the peace of Augsburg 1555 (cuius regio, eius religio).
Ius reformandi – the possession of each religious group in 1624 is considered as the
moment of religious restitution, i.e. the departure to determine each confession’s
possessions, with the exception of Habsburg territories and the Palatinate.
2. Constitutional issues:
Imperial privileges depend on the Reichstag (Imperial Diet – in reality due to the right
of veto it was more an ambassadors’ conference than a parliament – see Munck).
Ius foederationis - full sovereignty of Imperial Estates, as long as alliances were not
directed against the Emperor.
Bavaria and Palatinate are incorporated among electoral states (along with
Archbishops of Mainz, Trier, Cologne; Saxony; Brandeburg and Czech kingdom).
3. International Politics:
France – gains part of Upper Alsace; vicariate over bishoprics of Metz, Toul and
Verdun; border on the Rhine.
Sweden – receives Hither Pomerania with Szczecin (Stettin) and Wismar; Duchy of
Bremen; controls the mouths of Weser, Elbe and Oder.
Bavaria – receives Upper Palatinate.
Saxony – receives Lusatia.
Brandenburg receives Further Pomerania; the bpcs of Halberstadt, Kammin and
Minden.
Switzerland and United Provinces leave the Empire.
Reaction of the pope Innocent X – outrage. In his brief Zelus domus Dei (1650) he
described the treaty as: “null, void, invalid, iniquitous, unjust, damnable, reprobate,
inane, and devoid of meaning for all time” (Davies, Europe, p. 568).
mid-17th century
Spain – rebellion in Portugal and Catalonia; weakening position of the overseas
empire
France – struggles with protests (the Fronde) as it aspires to build an absolute state
under Richelieu and Mazarin
England – in the middle of Civil War and Revolution
German Empire – weakened by the war; loss of member states; weakened Imperial
control; role of German princes (Bavaria, Saxony, Brandenburg-Prussia)
Poland-Lithuania – weakened by Cossack uprisings in the Ukraine, Turkish, Swedish
and Muscovy wars
Hungary – does not exist partitioned between Ottoman Empire, Habsburgs and
Transylvania
Italy – divided into spheres of interest and semi-independent states, which lost much
of their importance since middle ages; Venice still tries to run big politics, but plays
insignificant role
Muscovy – slow growth towards centralized powerful state
Sweden – exceptional role and power