The Peace of Westphalia refers to a series of treaties signed in 1648 that ended the Thirty Years' War in Europe, marking a significant turning point in European political history. This settlement not only concluded the brutal conflict that had ravaged much of Europe but also laid the foundations for the modern system of nation-states by establishing principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. It acknowledged the coexistence of different religious groups and set a precedent for international diplomacy.
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