After a long, protracted war, the kingdoms of Sweden and France defeat the kingdom of Spain and the “Holy Roman Empire.” The Thirty Years War ends with the signing of the Peace (Treaty) of Westphalia. Spain has been sapped of its strength to the point that it is forced to retreat from the lowlands and ceases to be the dominant power in the world. The Netherlands, the former lowlands, becomes a newly created republic. The Italian provinces drop out of the so called “Holy Roman Empire.” The treaty also establishes the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of another nation and prohibits wars solely for the purpose of “regime change.”
[restored 7/3/2026]
Subsequent Events:
References:
Kevin Phillips, “Can the Economy Survive the Attacks?,” Los Angeles Times, 19 September 2001, M8.
The Avalon Project : Treaty of Westpahlia
avalon.law.yale.edu/17th_century/westphal.asp
Alexander Cockburn: Kissinger, Hitchens, Springsteen, Haggard and Presley
www.counterpunch.org/2002/08/29/kissinger-hitchens-springsteen-haggard-and-presley-2/
Current U.s. National Debt:
