For this reason, the alpine passes have played a significant role in the development of. In the roman period switzerland has imperial order to the south and west, but tribal chaos in varying degrees to the north. You will find an informative overview of swiss history here. Watchmaking, the art of creating the mechanical timepieces we know today, only came into existence in the 14 th century. Several circumstances conspire to draw the swiss into north italy during the early 16th century. The vienna conference of 1815 declared switzerland s neutrality between european powers. Switzerland s official name is swiss confederation, or schweizerische eidgenossenschaft in german early history switzerland is one of the oldest nations in europe. This article deals with the history of switzerland since 1848 see early modern switzerland for the early modern period, switzerland in the napoleonic era for the period of 17981814, and restoration and regeneration switzerland for the period of 18151848. In april 2009, switzerland hosted the 2009 iihf world championship for the 10th time. Switzerlands small sizeits total area is about half that of scotlandand its modest population give little indication of its international significance. Switzerland, a small nation located at the center of central europe, shares a significant part of its history with its four neighbors, namely austria, italy, france, and germany. Switzerland, completely surrounded, imported more from germany than from the allies.
Since 1848 the swiss confederation has been a federal republic of relatively autonomous cantons, some of which have a history of confederacy that goes back. While the history of switzerland can be traced back to 1291, that of its national flag dates back only to 1889. The other project is a wider casted net, with modern families etc. How switzerland came to dominate watchmaking the new. Early accounts of the history of the old swiss confederacy are found in the numerous swiss chronicles of the 14th to 16th centuries. The pharmaceutical industry in switzerland directly and indirectly employs about 5,000 people. Since 1848, the swiss confederation has been a federal state of relatively autonomous cantons, some of which have a history of confederacy that goes back more than 700 years, putting them among.
What digital items do customers buy after viewing this item. Switzerlands history and culture has been largely characterized by its landlocked geographic position. Though switzerland is small and landlocked, it manages to offer the delights from all of its neighboring countries and its multiple cultures. Until the upheavals resulting from the napoleonic invasion, the land which forms the presentday canton of basellandschaft belonged to the princebishops of basel and was a dependent territory of the city of basel. If you are looking for a brief synopsis of the life and times of switzerland then i would recommend this the complete history in 129 pages but if you a looking for something that goes into a bit more detail then i think you would be a bit frustrated. Despite four separate languages, the divisions of the reformation, democracy and oligarchies and several european and world wars the people of all the separate swiss cantons united to form a direct. Around 15 bc they established a military base at the site of todays lindenhof which was called turicum, and as later inhabitants werent so fluent in latin, it gradually became the slightly more callous zurich. Modern swiss history might start in 1291, but thats not to say that the thousands of years leading up to switzerlands birth are not significant this.
Is there a documentary english narration or english subtitles that goes over swiss history, either in an overview or a focus on one specific time period. The history of switzerland, for the swiss people heinrich zschokke. From the days of the romans, when vineyards were first cultivated. The early history of switzerland begins with the earliest settlements up to the beginning of habsburg rule, which in 1291 gave rise to the independence movement in the central cantons of uri, schwyz, and unterwalden and the late medieval growth.
Switzerland s history is implicit in its geography. Switzerland history is full of interesting facts, and one could study it for years if they were so inclined. Switzerland s neutrality was fixed in international law and cannot be changed without the consent of all powers involved. A concise history of switzerland is a great read on the struggles and adversities the people of switzerland overcame in order to form a nation. Swiss archives of contemporary history the archives promotes historical research in switzerland and is part of the institut fur geschichte the swiss institute for history.
Todays switzerland developed over several centuries, emerging out of a loose alliance of autonomous entities to become a federal state. Records show that by 1554 watchmakers were present and working in geneva. Switzerland is a landlocked country in central europe. On swiss coins today youll see the word helvetica or ch confederation helvetique. A concise history of switzerland cambridge concise histories. The country has staunchly remained neutral as its bordering nations were mired by war, and this neutrality continues to characterize switzerland today.
The trade didnt even reach switzerland until much later, when huguenot refugees, who were fleeing religious persecution in neighbouring france, set up shop in geneva. Read on to discover 12 events that shaped switzerland and its place in the world. Woodrow wilson school of public and international affairs 28,266 views. This castle could be the backdrop to one of your favorite fairytales. Lee library, brigham young university, provo, utah, usa. Switzerland simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
The cantons have a longstanding interest in controlling two passes the st. There is no such thing as being fashionably late in switzerland. The european nation known as switzerland in english has several different names in the countrys four official languages. I am interested in learning more about switzerlands history. In 2007, swisscom entered the tv industry and, by the end of 2012, it led the digital tv market with 791,000 subscribers. The untold story behind switzerlands success duration. History of switzerland switzerland tourism myswitzerland. May 10, 2020 switzerland, federated country of central europe. This alludes to the helvetians, a celtic tribe who settled in switzerland. Interestingly, the flags design of a centrally placed white cross against a red background originated in the fifteenth century and its underlying concept evolved even earlier, in the fourth. Great britain considered switzerland to be too submissive with regard to germany, and threatened a blockade. For travelers, visiting some of the countrys historical attractions is one of the best ways to embrace swiss history. History of switzerland lonely planet travel information.
The different cantons traditionally called orte in german were to a large extent independent states that remained united through the shared defense of liberty, which was understood as the protection of imperial privileges and. In 1601, the first watchmaking guild was founded in geneva, marking a major step in establishing switzerland as a destination for fine watchmaking throughout the world. Richard hacken, european studies librarian, harold b. The national league a is the most attended league in europe.
It has a small burner underneath it to keep the fondue at constant temperature. The historiography of switzerland is the study of the history of switzerland early accounts of the history of the old swiss confederacy are found in the numerous swiss chronicles of the 14th to 16th centuries. First published in 1832, this is a tale of dramatic splendor performed by captivating personalitieshere is a work of classic history that will delete europhiles and students of the past alike. Many of the people who inhabited modernday switzerland in the early years didnt establish permanent settlements. Dec 11, 2017 since 1848, the swiss confederation has been a federal state of relatively autonomous cantons, some of which have a history of confederacy that goes back more than 700 years, putting them among. Industrialisation transformed the traditionally agricultural economy, and swiss neutrality during the world wars and the success of the banking industry furthered the ascent of switzerland to its status as one of the worlds most stable economies.
Swiss cantonal, local and family history historical swiss newspapers and journals. Switzerlands small sizeits total area is about half that of scotlandand its modest population give. Neutrality still plays a major role in todays politics. From 2009, swisscom pushed ahead with the expansion of the fibreoptic network in switzerland. At that time, all major european nations were interested in having switzerland as a neutral zone between france and austria. These considerations become apparent once there are developed communities on all sides. In the same year switzerland was the second largest exporter of packaged medicine.
Genealogy projects tagged with switzerland on the geni family tree back to projects dashboard. History as a historical reality, william tell probably never existed. Celtic tribes in switzerland history of the helvetians. The early history of switzerland begins with the earliest settlements up to the beginning of habsburg rule, which in 1291 gave rise to the independence. Since 1848 the swiss confederation has been a federal republic of relatively autonomous cantons, some of which have a history of confederacy that goes back more than 700 years, putting them among the worlds oldest surviving republics the early history of the region is tied to that of alpine culture. This was the beginning of swiss watchmaking history. I am interested in learning more about switzerland s history. Switzerland history is about as interesting as history gets.
Foods invented in switzerland swiss tours and travel. Switzerlands history can be traced back to the stone age around 350,000 bc, when the land was inhabited predominantly by hunters. This is only for the relations of the swiss mennonite family that eventually made their way to pennsylvania in the usa. Can you recommend a book on the history of switzerland. Germany demanded credit in exchange for its iron and coal, and wanted to sell its gold against currency. Swiss history switzerland it borders on france in the west and southwest, with the jura mts. A concise history of switzerland cambridge concise. If you are looking for a brief synopsis of the life and times of switzerland then i would. History of switzerland the old swiss confederacy 12911515 the official date of birth of the old swiss confederation is august, 1 st 1291. Early history switzerland is one of the oldest nations in europe. Romans and schwyzerduutsch 100bc x century though human history in zurich began before the romans, it seems it was they who gave the city its name. Records show that by 1554 watchmakers were present and. List of books and articles about swiss history online.
Like the rest of europe switzerland suffered a recession in 2009 but it recovered from 2010 onward and today it is prosperous. Switzerland s history is one of a medieval defensive league formed during a time and in an area lacking imperial authority. So far i have found it quite readable but perhaps a little light. This shopping feature will continue to load items when the enter key is pressed. Throughout its history, the swiss flag has always had one feature that distinguishes it from all other national flags. The geography of switzerland is mostly mountains alps in south, jura in northwest with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes. On 5 october 1998, swisscom ltd was floated on the stock exchange. It should come as no surprise that digital scheduling was invented by a timepoor, idearich swiss computer scientist and an electrical engineer michael naf and paul e.
Schweizerische landesbibliothek the swiss national library. But as a national legend, the man who helped to drive out switzerlands foreign rulers by shooting an apple off his sons head has perfectly embodied the countrys rather singular approach to. In bern, two of the more interesting historical attractions include the zytglogge and the munster. As elsewhere in europe, these late medieval and early modern were subjected to critical treatment with the emergence of modern historiography in the later 18th century. Swiss cantonal, local and family history historical swiss newspapers and journals online switzerland. Share discover in a free daily email todays famous history and birthdays enjoy the famous daily. The history of switzerland since 1848 has been largely one of success and prosperity. Much of the territory covered by presentday switzerland is mountainous. Switzerland was the joint host, with austria, of the euro 2008 tournament. In a country where trains run to the second, and five minutes late is too late, scheduling is an art. The country has staunchly remained neutral as its bordering nations were mired by war, and this neutrality continues to characterize switzerland. Scottish author john wilson 17851854 sometimes wrote under the pseudonym christopher north for blackwoods edinburgh magazine. Neighboring countries include austria, france, italy, liechtenstein, and germany. Switzerland was inhabited by the helvetii, and it came under roman rule in the 1st century bc.
In fact, confoederatio helvetica, the latin name of the country, has. The cantons have a longstanding interest in controlling two passes the st gotthard and the splugen which carry much of the trade between italy and northern europe. The country takes its name from schwyz, one its original provinces called cantons. Like all of the countries in europe, switzerland has been home to human activity for more than 100,000 years. Swiss history comprehensive site about swiss history from prehistory to the 20th century. This date can be found on a document of alliance whose age of more than 700 years has been confirmed by radionuclear c 14 analysis recently. This article deals with the history of switzerland since 1848. Switzerlands history is one of a medieval defensive league formed during a time and in an area lacking imperial authority. Nonetheless, the modern swiss flag variations can be traced back to the year 1815. The early history of switzerland begins with the earliest settlements up to the beginning of habsburg rule, which in 1291 gave rise to the independence movement in the central cantons of uri, schwyz, and unterwalden and the late medieval growth of the old swiss confederacy. Switzerland history swiss history facts about switzerland.
The untold story behind switzerland s success duration. Switzerland is a loose confederacy of cities and small valley communities dominating the rest of the country. The many lakes in the country make switzerland a good place for sailing. The vatican is the only other sovereign state to have a square flag. Switzerlands official name is swiss confederation, or schweizerische eidgenossenschaft in german early history switzerland is one of the oldest. Switzerland history, flag, map, capital, population. See early modern switzerland for the early modern period, switzerland in the napoleonic era for the period of 17981814, and restoration and regeneration switzerland for the period of 18151848. Switzerlands administrative capital is bern, while lausanne serves as its judicial center. The history of modernday switzerland dates back to 1291, but the history of its people goes back much further. Switzerlands official name is swiss confederation, or schweizerische eidgenossenschaft in german. The historical dictionary of switzerland is an encyclopedia on the history of switzerland that aims to take into account the results of modern historical research in a manner accessible to a broader audience the encyclopedia is published by a foundation under the patronage of the swiss academy of humanities and social sciences sagwassh and the swiss historical society. The ten most important dates in switzerlands history swi swissinfo.