Peace of Westphalia, 1648
Peace of Westphalia, 1648
Please note that the Peace of Westphalia is made up of early modern countries, not current UN member states. Delegations with seats on the committee will be assigned their associated roles in late June.
Nancy Flewelling, Director
Class Year: 2013
Concentration: Economics with a secondary in Spanish Language and Literature
Hometown: Naples, FL
Favorite Place: Harvard! What kind of question is this? I also have a thing for Barcelona, even though I have never been there. And while I hate to admit it, I always love a good Barnes&Noble.
Favorite Food: How can I list just one? Yogurt, ricotta cheese ravioli with creamy tomato sauce, fried plantains, really good sandwiches, Nutella and bananas, smoothies, coffee (yes, I know the last two are drinks and not food).
Favorite MUN Moment: Overcoming the fear of mispronouncing countries that I wasn’t entirely sure existed before HMUN in front of the whole delegation. Admit it, everyone has had the experience of discovering a new country in his or her first year at HMUN, don’t lie.
HMUN is the best because…I get the chance to learn a great deal about a specific topic, and I am surprised by how much I learn from the delegates as well. I originally joined in order to cultivate my own political awareness, but I’ve come to love HMUN for an entirely different reason: it’s the perfect place to meet so many smart, engaging people. I have some great friends because of HMUN!
Other thoughts? See ya in 1648, delegates!!
Topics
Topic A: Future of the Holy Roman Empire
The political dominion of the Holy Roman Empire has long been established in the halls of power. Its first emperor, the Frankish king Charlemagne, was crowned by Pope Leo III in 800 AD after he rushed to the aid of the Vatican against the oppression of Rome. This traditional coronation of the Emperor – a convention that ended with the reign of Charles V – established a close relationship between the Empire and the Catholic Church. Yet the relationship has long been unsettling to the numerous kings, dukes, princes and more who have struggled to exercise independent sovereignty over their local territory. The current system of imperial election, by which a candidate to be “King of the Romans” has to win a majority of seven eligible electors, lends itself to local power de facto. Still, fear of imperial interference remains poignant and keeps local authorities on the defensive. Now, after the Thirty Years’ War has torn apart its land and destroyed its power, the future of the Empire remains unclear. Parties to the Peace must determine how the Holy Roman Empire might be reformed or restructured – or not restructured – and must decide what claims to particular cities or regions will be validated in the new political order.
Topic B: Political Status of Religion
After a war fought essentially over religious determination, countries face the challenge of determining the limits of secular power in determining religious practice. Religious affiliation within the Holy Roman Empire and Europe itself varies according to region and tradition. Indeed, a constant source of tension within the Holy Roman Empire has been the division of religious authority among a Catholic Emperor and largely Protestant principalities. Furthermore, the reigning legal authority on religious matters – the Peace of Augsburg, signed in 1555 following warfare between Charles V and the Schmalkaldic League – gives a legal basis for the practice of Lutheranism and Catholicism. Yet what is the legal basis for other religious sects, such as Calvinism and Anabaptism? Moreover, the reigning powers of Europe – including Catholic France and Protestant Sweden – have a keen interest in the outcome of the war. Who has the final say – domestic or foreign – in permitting or preventing religious organization and practice within the Empire and beyond? How can the strengths and shortcomings of the Peace of Augsburg be improved upon in the new agreement? Parties to the Peace must seek a peaceful solution or face a resurgence of war.