Iowa International Relations Practice Exam

The Treaty of Westphalia, concluded in 1648, is primarily significant for establishing the principle of state sovereignty, which became a cornerstone of modern international relations. This principle asserts that states have the authority to govern themselves without external interference, fundamentally reshaping the way nations interact with one another.

Prior to Westphalia, the political landscape in Europe was heavily influenced by religious authority and overlapping claims of power among monarchs and empires. The Treaty ended the Thirty Years' War and the Eighty Years' War, leading to a new order where the independence and territorial integrity of states were recognized. This new system allowed for the development of clearly defined national borders and gave rise to the notion that each state is governed by its own laws and holds the right to manage its affairs, fostering the concept of autonomy that is essential in today’s international system.

The other options are not closely related to the Treaty of Westphalia. The end of the Cold War occurred centuries later, numerous decades after the establishment of the United Nations, and the treaty itself did not signal the start of imperialism, which had its own distinct historical roots. Therefore, the recognition of state sovereignty reflects the pivotal impact of the Treaty of Westphalia on international law and the construction