Switzerland as a federal state: Difference between revisions
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{{History of Switzerland}} |
{{History of Switzerland}} |
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The rise of '''Switzerland as a federal state''' began on September 12, 1848 with the creation of a federal constitution, which was created in response to a 27-day civil war in Switzerland, the [[Sonderbund war|''Sonderbundskrieg'']]. The constitution, which was heavily influenced by the [[US Constitution]] and the ideas of the [[French Revolution]], was modified several times during the following decades and wholly revised in 1999. The constitution represents the first time that the Swiss were governed by a strong central government instead of being simply a collection of independent [[Cantons of Switzerland|cantons]] bound by treaties. |
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| ⚫ | In 1847, the period of [[Swiss history]] known as [[Restoration (Switzerland)|Restoration]] ended with the breaking out of a war between the conservative Roman Catholic and the liberal Protestant [[Switzerland|Swiss]] cantons (the ''Sonderbundskrieg''). |
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==''Sonderbundskrieg'' and the Constitution of 1848== |
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{{main|Sonderbund war}} |
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| ⚫ | In 1847, the period of [[Swiss history]] known as [[Restoration (Switzerland)|Restoration]] ended with the breaking out of a war between the conservative Roman Catholic and the liberal Protestant [[Switzerland|Swiss]] cantons (the ''Sonderbundskrieg''). The conflict between the [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] and [[Protestantism|Protestant]] cantons had existed since the [[reformation]], and in the 19<sup>th</sup> Century the Protestant population now had a majority.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |
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| title = Switzerland |
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| encyclopedia = Encyclopædia Britannica |
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| volume = 26 |
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| pages = 241 |
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| date = 1911 |
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| url = http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Switzerland/Geography |
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| accessdate = 2008-08-07 }} In 1850, the population was 59.3% Protestant and 40.6% Catholic</ref> The ''Sonderbund'' ([[German language|German: seperate alliance]]) was concluded after the [[Free Democratic Party of Switzerland|Radical Party]] had taken power in Switzerland and had, thanks to the protestant majority of cantons, taken measures against the Catholic Church such as the closure of monasteries and convents in [[Aargau]] in [[1841]]<ref name="EB">{{cite encyclopedia |
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| title = Switzerland |
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| encyclopedia = Encyclopædia Britannica |
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| volume = 26 |
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| pages = 259 |
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| date = 1911 |
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| url = http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/1911_Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica/Switzerland/History/Constitution |
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| accessdate = 2008-08-07 }}</ref>. When Lucerne, in retaliation, recalled the [[Society of Jesus|Jesuits]] the same year, groups of armed Radicals ("Freischärler") invaded the canton. This caused a revolt, mostly because rural cantons were strongholds of [[ultramontanism]]. |
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The Sonderbund was in violation of the [[Federal Treaty]] of [[1815]], §6 of which expressly forbade such separate alliances, and the Radical majority in the [[Tagsatzung]] decided to dissolve the Sonderbund on [[October 21]], [[1847]]. The confederate army was raised against the members of the Sonderbund. The army was composed of soldiers of all the other states except [[Canton of Neuchâtel|Neuchâtel]] and [[Appenzell Innerrhoden]] (which had stayed neutral). |
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The war lasted for less than a month, causing fewer than 100 casualties. Apart from small riots<ref>notably the shooting of 13 demonstrators by the [[Swiss Army]] in [[Geneva]] in 1932</ref>, this was the last armed conflict on Swiss territory. |
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As a consequence of the civil war, Switzerland adopted a [[Swiss Federal Constitution|federal constitution]] in 1848, amending it extensively in 1874 and establishing federal responsibility for defence, trade, and legal matters, leaving all other matters to the cantonal governments. From then, and over much of the 20th century, continuous political, economic, and social improvement has characterized Swiss history. |
As a consequence of the civil war, Switzerland adopted a [[Swiss Federal Constitution|federal constitution]] in 1848, amending it extensively in 1874 and establishing federal responsibility for defence, trade, and legal matters, leaving all other matters to the cantonal governments. From then, and over much of the 20th century, continuous political, economic, and social improvement has characterized Swiss history. |
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The rise of Switzerland as a federal state began on September 12, 1848 with the creation of a federal constitution, which was created in response to a 27-day civil war in Switzerland, the Sonderbundskrieg. The constitution, which was heavily influenced by the US Constitution and the ideas of the French Revolution, was modified several times during the following decades and wholly revised in 1999. The constitution represents the first time that the Swiss were governed by a strong central government instead of being simply a collection of independent cantons bound by treaties.
Sonderbundskrieg and the Constitution of 1848
In 1847, the period of Swiss history known as Restoration ended with the breaking out of a war between the conservative Roman Catholic and the liberal Protestant Swiss cantons (the Sonderbundskrieg). The conflict between the Catholic and Protestant cantons had existed since the reformation, and in the 19th Century the Protestant population now had a majority.[1] The Sonderbund (German: seperate alliance) was concluded after the Radical Party had taken power in Switzerland and had, thanks to the protestant majority of cantons, taken measures against the Catholic Church such as the closure of monasteries and convents in Aargau in 1841[2]. When Lucerne, in retaliation, recalled the Jesuits the same year, groups of armed Radicals ("Freischärler") invaded the canton. This caused a revolt, mostly because rural cantons were strongholds of ultramontanism.
The Sonderbund was in violation of the Federal Treaty of 1815, §6 of which expressly forbade such separate alliances, and the Radical majority in the Tagsatzung decided to dissolve the Sonderbund on October 21, 1847. The confederate army was raised against the members of the Sonderbund. The army was composed of soldiers of all the other states except Neuchâtel and Appenzell Innerrhoden (which had stayed neutral).
The war lasted for less than a month, causing fewer than 100 casualties. Apart from small riots[3], this was the last armed conflict on Swiss territory.
As a consequence of the civil war, Switzerland adopted a federal constitution in 1848, amending it extensively in 1874 and establishing federal responsibility for defence, trade, and legal matters, leaving all other matters to the cantonal governments. From then, and over much of the 20th century, continuous political, economic, and social improvement has characterized Swiss history.
The first Federal Council sat on 16 November 1848, composed entirely of members of the Free Democratic Party.
In 1859, Reisläuferei (mercenary service) was outlawed, with the exception of the Vatican guard.
Notes
- ^ "Switzerland". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 26. 1911. p. 241. Retrieved 2008-08-07. In 1850, the population was 59.3% Protestant and 40.6% Catholic
- ^ "Switzerland". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 26. 1911. p. 259. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ notably the shooting of 13 demonstrators by the Swiss Army in Geneva in 1932
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