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What was the Holy Roman Empire?

The Holy Roman Empire (sometimes abbreviated H.R.E.) was a loose federation (alliance) of German and Italian states. It was originally formed on December 25 in A.D. 800, when Charlemagne (742–814; also known as Charles the Great) was crowned emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III (c. 750–816). After Charlemagne's death, the empire went into decline and was not fully reinstated until Otto I (912–973) was crowned emperor. Although the empire was strongly associated with the Roman Catholic Church, the connection did not prevent disputes between emperors and popes, beginning in the mid-1100s. In 1250 Pope Innocent IV (d.1254) was successful in gaining independence from the empire for the Italian city-states (self-governing cities).

Later in the history of the Holy Roman Empire, the House of Habsburg rose to power. After the signing of the Peace of Westphalia (1648), which recognized...

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