The Treaty of Westphalia is notable for establishing which principle?

• A. Federalism.
• B. State sovereignty and non-interference.
• C. Universal monarchy.
• D. Free trade.

Answer: (B)

The main idea tested is the emergence of state sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in international relations. The Treaty of Westphalia, concluded in 1648, ended the Thirty Years’ War and established that each recognized state has exclusive authority within its borders and that other states should respect that sovereignty, refraining from meddling in internal governance. This marks a shift from a system rooted in religious or dynastic authority toward a framework where states are equal, sovereign actors within an international order.

Federalism would involve dividing power within a single political system, rather than recognizing independent states with equal standing. A universal monarchy proposes a single ruler over all states, which Westphalia effectively rejects. Free trade is an economic policy; while it can be a outcome of stable relations, it is not the defining principle established by the treaties.