What’s new in international relations of the 16-17th century in comparison with the Middle Ages.

Here you should pay attention to the Thirty Years War, in which almost all European countries took part. After this war, the Westphalian Peace Treaty was signed, for which many states asserted their independence. That is, the beginning of the Westphalian world system was laid. Thus, countries received the opportunity to become independent from the influence of other large states. For example, you can take the Netherlands, which gained independence just under this treaty.