History of Switzerland

Switzerland has a long and interesting history. Since 1848, the Swiss Confederation has been a federal republic made up of many cantons, some of which have worked together for over 700 years, making them some of the oldest republics in the world.

Long ago, the land that is now Switzerland was home to people called the Helvetii. Later, it became part of the Roman rule and was influenced by both Alpine culture and Germanic influence. Over time, different empires, like the Frankish Empire and the Holy Roman Empire, ruled the area.

During the Late Middle Ages, the Old Swiss Confederacy became independent from powerful rulers. Later, during a time called the Swiss Reformation, the country faced internal conflicts. After facing a French invasion, Switzerland was reorganized but eventually became a confederation again.

In more recent times, starting from 1848, Switzerland grew successful and prosperous. The country became known for its industrialisation, Swiss neutrality in big wars, and a strong banking industry. Today, Switzerland is one of the world’s most stable economies. It has chosen not to join the European Union but works closely with its neighbors. In 2002, Switzerland became a member of the United Nations.

Early history

Main article: Early history of Switzerland

Long ago, people lived in what is now Switzerland even during the time when only hunter-gatherers existed. They lived in the lowlands near the Alps around 150,000 years ago. Later, around 5500 BC, people began to farm.

During a time called the Neolithic period, many people lived in the area. We know this because we have found old wooden houses built on poles in lakes from around 3800 BC. Around 1500 BC, tribes from Celtic cultures moved into the land. In the east, people known as the Raetians lived, while in the west, the Helvetii settled.

Divico and Julius Caesar after the Battle of Bibracte

Main article: Switzerland in the Roman era

Later, in 58 BC, the Helvetii tried to move away from pressures from nearby tribes by heading toward a place called Gaul. But they were stopped and brought back by soldiers led by Julius Caesar. The land became part of the Roman Empire and changed greatly over the next few centuries. The main Roman town was at a place called Aventicum, or today’s Avenches. In 259, tribes called the Alamanni moved into the land, placing Swiss areas at the edge of the Roman Empire.

A map of Switzerland during the Roman period

The first Christian churches were set up in the fourth century. When the Western Roman Empire ended, German-speaking tribes moved in. In the west, Burgundians settled, and in the north, Alamanni people arrived. Burgundy later joined the kingdom of the Franks, and soon after, the Alamans did too. In areas controlled by the Alamans, only a few Christian groups stayed, and Irish monks helped bring Christianity back in the early 600s.

Main article: Switzerland in the Middle Ages

During the time of the Carolingian kings, local rulers gained power, and churches and monasteries helped keep order. A big agreement in 843 called the Treaty of Verdun split lands, giving western Switzerland to one area and eastern Switzerland to another, which later became part of the Holy Roman Empire.

In the 900s, groups called Magyars attacked towns like Basel and St. Gallen. After a battle in 955 led by King Otto I, Swiss lands joined the empire again.

By the 1100s, leaders from Zähringen built cities such as Fribourg in 1157 and Bern in 1191. After their leader Berchtold V died in 1218, these cities became independent within the empire. Rulers from Kyburg and later the Hohenstaufen took control of rural areas. Important mountain paths, like the St Gotthard Pass, became key travel routes. Places such as Uri and Schwyz gained special independence, though this changed when Rudolph of Habsburg became king in 1273 and took away their freedom.

Old Confederacy (1300–1798)

Main article: Old Swiss Confederacy

Main article: Growth of the Old Swiss Confederacy

The Battle of Laupen (1339) between Swiss forces and an army of the Dukes of Savoy (Diebold Schilling the Elder, 1480s)

On August 1, 1291, the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden joined together to protect their peace after the death of Emperor Rudolf I of Habsburg. This group became the start of the Old Swiss Confederacy.

By 1353, more cantons like Glarus, Zug, and city-states such as Lucerne, Zürich, and Bern joined. They formed what is called the “Old Federation” of eight states. In 1386, the Swiss won a big battle against the Habsburgs at the Battle of Sempach, which helped them become more independent.

Later, the Swiss fought and won against Charles the Bold of Burgundy in the Burgundian Wars. Their strong soldiers, known as Swiss mercenaries, became famous for helping other countries’ armies, especially France, during the Renaissance.

Main article: Reformation in Switzerland

Leonhard Euler (1707–83), one of the most prominent scientists in the Age of Enlightenment

Main article: Early Modern Switzerland

In 1523, a priest named Huldrych Zwingli started changes in the Swiss religion. Some cantons, like Zürich and Bern, became Protestant, while others stayed Catholic. This caused some fights between the cantons, but the group stayed together.

During the Thirty Years' War, Switzerland stayed mostly peaceful because many countries needed Swiss soldiers. In 1648, Switzerland became officially independent from the Holy Roman Empire.

Napoleonic period and aftermath (1798–1848)

Main articles: Switzerland in the Napoleonic era and Helvetic Republic

During the French Revolutionary Wars, the French army invaded Switzerland and created a place called the "Helvetic Republic" from 1798 to 1803. This new rule had a central government that didn’t let the local areas, or cantons, have much say. People didn’t like this because it took away their local freedoms, even though it also brought some new changes.

In 1803, Napoleon’s Act of Mediation gave some power back to the cantons. Places like Aargau, Thurgau, Grisons, St. Gallen, Vaud, and Ticino became equal cantons. Napoleon’s wars in Switzerland caused damage to many places.

Main article: Restoration and Regeneration in Switzerland

Religious geography in 1800 (orange: Protestant, green: Catholic)

The Congress of Vienna in 1814–15 made sure Switzerland was independent again and that other countries would respect its neutrality. New areas like Valais, Neuchâtel, and Geneva joined Switzerland, making its borders what they are today.

In 1814, leaders from all cantons met at Zürich to create a new constitution. Each canton made its own rules, often going back to older ways. By the 1840s, a group called the liberal Free Democratic Party of Switzerland wanted a stronger central government and new laws to help trade and other areas. Tensions grew when some cantons, especially Catholic ones, didn’t agree with these changes. This led to a small civil war in 1847.

Main articles: Sonderbund War and Switzerland as a federal state

The war was short, and the national army won quickly. After this, Switzerland created a new constitution that many people supported. This helped bring peace to the country.

Modern Switzerland (1848–present)

Main article: Modern history of Switzerland

Industrialisation

Gotthard line in 1882

In 1848, after a civil war, Switzerland created a new government system. This system helped improve the country for many years. During the late 1800s, cities in Switzerland began to grow with factories, especially making clothes. Many women worked in these factories during this time.

World Wars (1914–1945)

League of Nations conference in Geneva (1926)

Main article: Switzerland during the World Wars

During World War I, other countries respected Switzerland's choice to stay out of the fighting. In World War II, Germany thought about attacking Switzerland but decided not to. Switzerland stayed safe by being ready to defend itself and by making careful decisions. Even though Switzerland tried to stay neutral, it had to make difficult choices about trade and helping people who were escaping danger.

Opening speech by president Pascal Couchepin at the World Economic Forum, one of the many international organizations based in Switzerland

History after 1945

Further information: Politics of Switzerland

After World War II, Switzerland continued to develop. In the 1960s, there were discussions about making nuclear weapons, but these plans were stopped. Switzerland joined many international groups and allowed women to vote in national elections in 1971. Switzerland works closely with European countries but is not part of the European Union.

Order of accession of the cantons

Main article: Cantons of Switzerland

Further information: Flags and arms of cantons of Switzerland

The order of precedence of the Swiss cantons given in the federal constitution follows the historical order of accession except for the three city cantons of Zürich, Bern and Lucerne placed at the top.

Eight Cantons