Can the Thirty Years' War's peace be considered a success?

Yes, the Peace of Westphalia, which ended the Thirty Years' War, can be considered a success in many respects.

The Peace of Westphalia, signed in 1648, brought an end to one of the most destructive conflicts in European history, the Thirty Years' War. It was successful in that it achieved its primary objective: to bring peace to a continent that had been ravaged by war for over three decades. The peace treaties were a significant achievement in diplomacy and negotiation, involving more than 100 separate delegations and resulting in a series of agreements that reshaped the political map of Europe.

One of the key successes of the Peace of Westphalia was the principle of cuius regio, eius religio, which allowed rulers to determine the religion of their own states. This helped to resolve the religious conflicts that had fuelled much of the Thirty Years' War, and established a precedent for religious tolerance that would have far-reaching implications for the future of Europe.

The Peace of Westphalia also marked a shift in the balance of power in Europe. It saw the rise of France and Sweden as major powers, while the power of the Holy Roman Empire was significantly diminished. This shift in power dynamics helped to maintain a balance of power in Europe, which contributed to a period of relative peace and stability in the years following the war.

Furthermore, the Peace of Westphalia is often cited as the birth of the modern system of international relations. It established the concept of state sovereignty, recognising the right of states to govern their own affairs without external interference. This principle has become a cornerstone of international law and continues to shape global politics to this day.

However, it's important to note that the Peace of Westphalia was not a complete success. It failed to resolve all of the issues that had led to the Thirty Years' War, and many of these issues would resurface in later conflicts. Moreover, the peace treaties were often violated, and the enforcement mechanisms were weak. Despite these shortcomings, the Peace of Westphalia was a significant step forward in the development of international diplomacy and the management of inter-state conflicts.