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History of Switzerland

Switzerland is a landlocked country located at the intersection of Central, Western, and Southern Europe.. 4 eras, 1291 to today.

Old Swiss Confederacy, 1291–1798 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Old Swiss Confederacy was a loose confederation of independent small states, initially within the Holy Roman Empire. It formed at the end of the 13th century, from a nucleus in what is now Central Switzerland. Its success resulted in more members, and by 1513 it had thirteen cantons. The Swiss Confederacy fell to a French invasion in 1798.

Seat of power: Bern

Helvetic Republic, 1798–1803 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Helvetic Republic was a sister republic of France that existed between 1798 and 1803, during the French Revolutionary Wars. It was created following the French invasion and the consequent dissolution of the Old Swiss Confederacy. The interference with localism and traditional liberties was deeply resented, although some modernizing reforms took place. Opposition to the new government gradually increased over the years, as the Swiss resented their loss of local democracy, the new taxes, the centralization and the hostility to religion.

Seat of power: Bern

Act of Mediation, 1803–1813 Draft, not yet reviewed

The Act of Mediation was issued by Napoleon Bonaparte, First Consul of the French Republic, on 19 February 1803. It abolished the Helvetic Republic and replaced it with the Swiss Confederation. The Act of Mediation was Napoleon's attempt at a compromise between the Ancien Régime and a republic. This intermediary stage of Swiss history lasted until the Restoration of 1815.

Seat of power: Bern

Swiss Confederation, 1848 to today Draft, not yet reviewed

The modern Swiss federal state came into being when the federal constitution became effective on September 12, 1848. A new constitution in 1848 established the current federal system and enshrined principles such as individual rights, separation of powers, and parliamentary bicameralism. Switzerland has maintained a policy of armed neutrality since the 16th century and has not fought an international war since 1815. It joined the Council of Europe in 1964 and the United Nations in 2002.

Seat of power: Bern

Rulers

Text adapted from the Wikipedia articles listed as sources, CC BY-SA 4.0.