The Thirty Years' War

German history, for many, may be thought of as an extremely sensitive, yet complex topic. The Second World War left a sour taste for many when thinking of Germany and its’ past. However, like nearly all other parts of the world, Germany has experienced times of peace and times of turmoil. Of course, as we have learned from our world’s history, extended peacetime tends to be rare. War is almost always occurring somewhere in the world. Between the years 1555 and 1618, while other parts of Europe were plagued by war, Germany experienced its longest period of peacetime in its history. Sixty three years of no war was brought to an end when tensions between the Protestants and Catholics became too much. “Out of this conflict developed a war that spread far beyond the borders of the empire . . . The aim of this Thirty Years’ War – actually a succession of several wars – was to restore the Catholic unity of Europe with the aid of the mighty Hapsburg and Wittelsbach dynasties” (Schulze, 63).  Although Germany had just gone through its longest period with no wars, it was now facing a period of thirty years, 1618 through 1648, which would go down in history as one of the most damaging eras in the history of Europe. By the end of the Thirty Years’ War, the population of Germany had decreased from 17 million to 10 million people (Schulze, 64).  The Thirty Years’ War shows that Germany is just like every other nation in the world; it cannot escape the strangling grasp of war. At the conclusion of the Thirty Years’ War, the European community of nations was developed. “It had taken the devastating, all-encompassing war to convince the nations of Europe that in the long run the only way to prevent ongoing universal strife was a political order that included everyone” (Schulze, 64). This organization of nations, constituted by the Peace of Westphalia, was a unification similar to what Europe has today, the European Union. Personally, I find this association of nations extremely contemporary for its time. To think that in the 17^th century, Europe was able to successfully form this community of nations and establish the European nation-state system, is quite impressive to me. Also, relating to the first point in this entry, Germany may be seen by many as a warmongering nation due to its unfortunate history (specifically speaking of World War II and the Nazi Party), but that is not the case. Germany is like every other country in the world; it goes through its own history of peace, war, growth, turmoil, and progression. History shows that Germany does not have such a malicious past as some, unfortunately, might think.

A painting of the Battle of Lützen, which took place on November 16, 1632. It was one of the most decisive battles of the Thirty Years' War. Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, a Protestant leader, was killed in the battle. While the battle was a Protestant victory, the death of an important leader would result in the downfall of the Protestant movement.

The Peace of Westphalia, which ended the Thirty Years' War, was negotiated at Münster and Osnabrück. Here is a depiction of its signing in 1648.

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