Advanced Placement (AP) European History Practice Exam 2025 - Free AP History Practice Questions and Study Guide

Wenceslaus Hollar's engraving "Allegory of the Peace of Westphalia" reflects a sense of optimism regarding the outcomes of the treaties that concluded the Thirty Years' War in 1648. The primary claim communicated in the artwork suggests that the treaty would lead to a new period of peace and prosperity for Europe.

This interpretation is supported by the historical context in which Hollar created the piece. The Peace of Westphalia is often credited with establishing a new framework for international relations based on state sovereignty and legal equality among states, which helped to reduce conflict and assert diplomatic principles. Additionally, the imagery often associated with this engraving typically embodies themes of unity, harmony, and stability, reinforcing the idea that the treaty symbolically heralded an end to the devastations of war and the possibility for nations to rebuild and thrive.

In light of this optimistic representation, the other options fail to capture the central message conveyed in Hollar's work, which is anchored firmly in the optimistic anticipation of peace rather than chaos, minimal impact, or injustice. This makes the interpretation of a promising future following the treaty the most appropriate and integral understanding of Hollar's artistic intent.