The Eighty Years' War (1568-1648) was a conflict between the Spanish Empire and the Dutch Republic as the Dutch sought independence from Spanish rule. It began with rising tensions over religious and political issues, particularly the imposition of Catholicism in a predominantly Protestant region. The war included several key battles and significant events, such as the Union of Utrecht in 1579, which united the northern provinces against Spain. The conflict ultimately ended with the Treaty of Westphalia, recognizing Dutch independence and marking a shift in power in Europe.