THE PATH TO PEACE AT WESTPHALIA: Diplomacy and Mediation in the Thirty Years War 1618-1848

Examines the Thirty Years' War as a turning point in European and global power. Seeks to show that Imperial victory at Nordlingen was merely the prologue to Hapsburg disaster, and to the decisive change in global power politics with the rise of France as a great power under Richelieu and Louis XIII, French victory in Spain, the continuing power and rivalry of Sweden and the Protestant powers in German, and the financial power and imperial challenge of the Dutch Republic. The result was the greatest war of attrition in modern times and precursor of the wars of the 20th century. Contains 8 black and white illustrations.