On This Day

Thirty Years' War: Bavaria, Cologne, France and Sweden sign the Truce of Ulm

The Thirty Years' War, fought primarily in Central Europe between 1618 and 1648, was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history.

The Thirty Years' War, fought primarily in Central Europe between 1618 and 1648, was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history. An estimated 4.5 to 8 million soldiers and civilians died from the effects of battle, famine, or disease, with parts of Germany reporting population declines of over 50%. Related conflicts include the Eighty Years' War, the War of the Mantuan Succession, the Franco-Spanish War, the Torstenson War, the Dutch–Portuguese War, and the Portuguese Restoration War.

Its causes derived from religious conflict within the Holy Roman Empire, sparked by the 16th-century Reformation.

Historical Significance

The Thirty Years' War, fought primarily in Central Europe between 1618 and 1648, was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history.

Events Before

  1. Princess Louise Henriette (19) of Nassau marries Frederick Henry Elector of Brandenburg

    Princess Louise Henriette (19) of Nassau marries Frederick Henry Elector of Brandenburg

  2. Battle of Great Torrington, Devon - the last major battle of the first English Civil War

    The First English Civil War took place in England and Wales from 1642 to 1646, and forms part of the 1639 to 1653 Wars of the Three Kingdoms.

  3. Roger Scott is tried in Massachusetts for sleeping in church

    Roger Scott is tried in Massachusetts for sleeping in church

  4. Joseph Jenkes receives the 1st patent in North America for making scythes from the General Court of Massachusetts

    Joseph Jenkes receives the 1st patent in North America for making scythes from the General Court of Massachusetts

  5. Spain & Netherlands sign temporary cease fire

    Spain & Netherlands sign temporary cease fire

Events After

  1. Treaty of Westphalia ends the Thirty Years' War in the Holy Roman Empire; Switzerland's independence is recognized

    The Peace of Westphalia is the collective name for two peace treaties signed in October 1648 in the Westphalian cities of Osnabrück and Münster.

  2. Future Governor of New France Louis de Buade de Frontenac (28) secretly marries fellow aristocrat Anne de La Grange-Tria

    Future Governor of New France Louis de Buade de Frontenac (28) secretly marries fellow aristocrat Anne de La Grange-Trianon (16)

  3. Cornerstone of Amsterdam Town Hall is laid

    Cornerstone of Amsterdam Town Hall is laid

  4. Lord Baltimore's representative Margaret Brent ejected from the Maryland Council after requesting right to vote

    Lord Baltimore's representative Margaret Brent ejected from the Maryland Council after requesting right to vote

  5. Spain & Netherlands sign Peace of Munster, ending the Thirty Years' War

    The Thirty Years' War, fought primarily in Central Europe between 1618 and 1648, was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history.

More from the 1640s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on March 14, 1647?
The Thirty Years' War, fought primarily in Central Europe between 1618 and 1648, was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history. An estimated 4.5 to 8 million soldiers and civilians died from the effects of battle, famine, or disease, with parts of Germany reporting population declines of over 50%. Related conflicts include the Eighty Years' War, the War of the Mantuan Succession, the Franco-Spanish War, the Torstenson War, the Dutch–Portuguese War, and the Portuguese Restoration War.
Why is Thirty Years' War: Bavaria, Cologne, France and Sweden sign the Truce of Ulm significant?
The Thirty Years' War, fought primarily in Central Europe between 1618 and 1648, was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history.

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