The Treaty of Westphalia present new diplomacy in Europe - Essay Example

However, this assertion has been frequently been under attack from revisionists and politicians. The former questions the importance of the Peace while the latter criticizing the system adopted by Westphalia sovereign states. Every nation, however small, had equal representation in the General Assembly of the United Nation with each having one vote. Membership of the United Nation grew from 50 since its inception to 192 at the start of twentieth century. Some of the members were former colonies of the founders of the United Nation thus serving their interest instead of the aspirations of their people (Darby, 2001).

Discussion Desire for self-determination by most of the states took center stage in the post colonization such that other important issues such as confederacy were shelved. Westphalia marked the end of monarchs’ view that states were their property and also ensured that the sovereignty of other states was observed. Imperialism did not end even after the treaty since most of the European countries administered one rule to their people but to the countries outside Europe they administered different forms of administration.

Countries that believe in equal sharing of natural resources view Westphalia state as an hindrance; there is no country which is determined to act unless on their personal interest and most of them are not ready to give power to any outsider for they believe that this could threaten their sovereignty (Nye, 2000). Due to the large number of participants with various conflicting interests, it is difficult to determine a specific pattern of negotiation; however the fundamental aims of the participants can be narrowed.

The major aim of the emperor was complete and final conclusion of peace process for he desperately needed religious and territorial settlements. Mazarin’s desire for ultimate peace ended when Spain terminated their negotiation in1646. Spain wanted to reach to an agreement with the Dutch and continue the war (Darby, 2001). According to the Germans, the French preferred destruction of the Emperor’s influence through installation of imperial institutions. This had many setbacks because most of these Emperors preferred Holy Roman Empire and an appetite for emperor who did not pay allegiance to the French and Sweden.

Count Maximilian Von Trauttsmannsdorf did not have any problem in restating these demands to the French. France wanted parts of the Alsace, and Lorraine, but they were modest since France was determined to acquire Spanish territory (Waltz, 1979). Mazarin broke a deal in 1646 with the emperor to have Habsburg domains in Alsace for 1.2 million thalers. Due to Queen Christina’s desire for immediate settlement, the Swedes were ready for a compromise with her. However the French were concerned about Sweden becoming powerful.

Mazarin constructed Brandenburg to back up Swedish power on the February of 1647 and the envoy to Sweden was urged to partition Pomerania. Due to tension between the allies Trauttmannsdorf seized the opportunity to exploit them in many ways. In Habsburg, especially in Bohemian, Sweden expected religious compromise. When the emperor learned that the French had no sympathy for the Swedish Protestants he resisted any attempt to enforce these demands. In light of religion, issues pertaining to territory and allegiance were adequately dealt with in Peace of Prague and at the Diet of Regensburg; however status of Calvinism and secularized areas remained