What historical event did the Peace of Westphalia conclude?

The Peace of Westphalia, which was concluded in 1648, marked the end of the Thirty Years' War, a devastating conflict that ravaged much of Europe, particularly the Holy Roman Empire. This war involved a complex web of political and religious disputes primarily between Protestant and Catholic states, and it is often considered one of the most destructive conflicts in European history.

The treaties that comprised the Peace of Westphalia not only brought an end to the Thirty Years' War but also established important precedents in international law and diplomacy. It recognized the principle of state sovereignty and laid the groundwork for the modern system of nation-states by acknowledging the authority of states over their own territories. This shifted the political landscape in Europe and contributed to the end of religious wars in the region, as it provided a framework for resolving disputes through diplomacy rather than armed conflict.

The other events listed—World War I, the Napoleonic Wars, and the Seven Years' War—occurred much later in history and are not associated with the Peace of Westphalia, making them unrelated to this specific treaty.