The Peace of Westphalia ended the long series of wars
which followed the Reformation. It practically settled the religious question,
for it allowed Calvinists in Germany to enjoy the same privileges as Lutherans
and also withdrew the Edict of Restitution. Nothing was said in the treaties about
liberty of conscience, but from this time the idea that religious differences
should be settled by force gradually passed away from the minds of men.
TERRITORIAL READJUSTMENTS
The political clauses of the peace were numerous. France
received nearly all of Alsace along the Rhine. Sweden gained possessions in
North Germany. Brandenburg—the future kingdom of Prussia—secured additional
territory on the Baltic Sea. The independence of Switzerland and of the
United Netherlands was also recognized.
