The Thirty Years' War in Europe was primarily caused by a combination of religious, political, and territorial disputes. It began in 1618 in the Holy Roman Empire, mainly pitting Protestant states against Catholic Habsburg rule. Tensions escalated as various European powers, including Sweden, France, and Spain, intervened, each pursuing their geopolitical interests. Originally sparked by the Defenestration of Prague, the conflict transformed into a broader struggle for dominance in Europe. The war devastated much of Germany and resulted in significant loss of life, ultimately leading to the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, which redrew the political map of Europe.