The Thirty Years' War from 1618 to 1648 was one of the most destructive wars in European History. An estimated 4.5 to 8 million soldiers and civilians died as a direct result, while some areas of Germany experienced extreme and repeated population declines.
After 25 years the
various combatants were looking for a way out of the killing, destruction
and/or the cost of the war. Also they may have started to run out of gunpowder,
rifle balls, clubs, spears or hobnailed boots (for stomping the enemy into
bloody pulps). They started negotiating an end of it all. However even the
peace negotiations were difficult. “Difficult” is probably not an adequate word
to describe the negotiations considering the fact that the negotiating lasted 5
years and the fighting continued while the negotiations were going on. The fact
that one side or the other were winning or losing at any particular time in the
negotiations would change their willingness to concede anything about anything
or prompt them to increase their demands at the negotiation table.
Fella’s Question of the Day: Do you think Pope Innocent X had strong feelings
about the Peace of Westphalia?
The Treaty that ended the 30 Years War was the Treaty of Westphalia sometimes called the Peace of Westphalia. The treaty also effectively ended the Pope's pan-European political power. Fully aware of the loss, Pope Innocent X declared the treaty, "null, void, invalid, iniquitous, unjust, damnable, reprobate, inane, empty of meaning and effect for all times".
Fighting being over for the
day it is time to relax and enjoy some Hang Time with the guys...
Would I kid u?
Smartfella
