Today, Switzerland is largely known as the only neutral nation in the planet. But how did this nation, long besieged by its conquering neighbors, manage to maintain its political neutrality and fierce sense of identity despite its being completely surrounded by countries with differing political ideologies? A look at the history of Switzerland may have some answers.
Pre-Roman to Roman Times
The history of Switzerland started even way before the rise of the Roman Empire. The original inhabitants of Switzerland were called the Helvetii and the Rhaetians, occupying the western and eastern points of the territory, respectively.
It was only in the 1sty century B.C. that the Romans, led by Julius Caesar came. After conquering the region, they renamed it Helvetia, which became thoroughly Romanized in the succeeding centuries. However, with the Germanic invasions of the Western Roman Empire in the 4th century A.D., the map of the history of Switzerland was drastically changed when Roman-controlled Helvetia was conquered by the Burgundians and the Alamanni.
Middle Ages
Roughly a century later, in 5th century A.D., the Franks conquered the Alamanni. Later in the early 6th century, they also conquered the Burgundians. Thus, the history of Switzerland came under the charge of the Franks, who introduced Christianity to its people.
In the 9th century, control of much of Europe was lost from the Frankish Carolingian. Consequently, much of Switzerland became a part of one of the great feudal states of the German Kingdom, the duchy of Alemannia. The rest was absorbed by the kingdom of Transjurane Burgundy, which in 1033, was acquired by Holy Roman Emperor Conrad II. At this point of the history of Switzerland, the country was no more than a collection of petty states, ruled by either dukes or counts, and sometimes bishops and abbots.
Struggle for Independence
The turn of the 13th century proved to be a significant turning point in the history of Switzerland for it was in 1276 that the Swiss’ traditional liberties were clearly threatened. The Holy Roman Emperor, Rudolf I of the Habsburg dynasty wanted to acquire the territory that is now Switzerland. To resist this aggression, the three cantons, Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden, combined their defenses. This proved to be the foundation of the Old Swiss Confederacy, which was later on enlarged when other cantons likewise followed suit.
The Reformation
The history of Switzerland experienced another significant moment in 1518 when the Protestant Reformation came into being. Among the leaders of this movement are the country pastor Huldreich Zwingli and the French theologian John Calvin.
The Thirty Years’ War of 1618 to 1648 followed, but Switzerland preserved its neutrality. Even so, it was able to achieve formal recognition as a nation and as a completely independent state.
Unification to the Present
The French Revolution in the 1790s reached Switzerland and 1798, revolutionaries supported by the French occupied the whole territory. Napoleon Bonaparte, the future emperor of France, unified the country under the name Helvetic Republic. Later in 1803, Napoleon withdrew his troops. In 1815, the Congress of Vienna passed a new constitution, recognizing the perpetual neutrality of Switzerland. This in effect marked the long tradition and history of Switzerland as a politically neutral state.
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Flag Of Switzerland
... dimensions of the cross were formally established: "The coat of arms of the federation is, within a red field, an upright white cross, whose arms of equal length are a sixth longer than their width." However, since the time of the Old Swiss Confederacy, the flag of Switzerland bore a white cross, albeit with much details than the plain white cross of today. So how did the flag of Switzerland develop into what it is now? To answer that, we need to take a look at the history of the Swiss people. The Forest Cantons The so-called forest cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden were the founding members of the Old Swiss Confederacy of 1291. According to history, Emperor Frederick II of the German Empire granted the canton...
Switzerland Tours
... are taken through some of the country's most famed cantons, stopping finally at the celebrity-studded St. Moritz. Here, you will take the Bernina Express Train to Tirano, Italy, stopping for a morning break and a visit to a chocolate factory in Lugano. The tour ends as you reach Lake Lucerne in one of Switzerland's finest cities, Zurich, but from Lugano to Zurich, plenty more delights await you. SwitzerlandFlexiTours.com Offering Switzerland tours and all throughout Europe, Switzerland Flexi Tours provides opportunities for you to History Of Switzerland see the famous Swiss Alps, the beautiful lake of Geneva, and the cities renowned not only for their beauty but also for their roles in European affairs, Berne, Zurich and Lausanne. Among the Switzerland tours offered include Switzerland Rail Adventure, Golden Swiss Trip, Major Swiss Cities, Grand Tour of Switzerland, Honeymoon Special, Interlaken and Jungfraujock, Swiss Classical Resorts, and Mt. Rigi Experience. What's more, Switzerland Flexi Tours also offers special packages for those who want something more in their Switzerland tours....
Switzerland Flag
... in the present Switzerland flag, but before that, the Switzerland flag had to undergo various transformations. In the 13th century, the German emperor sometimes granted special honor to certain cities and regions. This special honor consists of the right to bear a cross on one's coat of arms and on a flag as well as direct immediacy - that is, direct subordination to the emperor without going through the counts. In 1240, one of the founding members of the Old History Of Switzerland Swiss Confederacy, the region of Schwyz, was granted immediacy and was permitted to carry a red flag. Later in 1289, the region supported King Rudolf of Habsburg in a war against Burgundy. As recognition of their contribution, the emperor granted them the right to represent the crucifixion of Christ and...
Switzerland Chocolate
... plantation in Mexico and also introduced the drink, along with the methodologies involved, to the Spanish court. The Spanish did not like it right away. But after much experimentation with ingredients, chocolate drink was consumed as a fashionable drink for the wealth in such countries as France and the rest of Europe. It was in 1697 that chocolate was first introduced to Switzerland. The mayor of Zurich, Heinrich Escher brought it to his home after tasting the drink in Brussels. Chocolate, at this point in history, was largely known as an History Of Switzerland aphrodisiac, and was thus only discreetly consumed at feasts. Then the Italians came, but their first attempt at making a milling business out of Switzerland chocolate was a failure. The locals...
Map Of Switzerland
... websites offering a good map of Switzerland and gathered them all here in one article to make it easier for you. Below are a few examples of such websites: Map.Search.ch/index.en.html Search.ch is a directory of maps of countries in the world. It offers an interactive map of Switzerland that allows you to zoom in and out using your left and right mouse button. You can also drag the map around and let your mouse pointer hover around an History Of Switzerland icon to show extra information. If you want to get a map of Switzerland, particularly of a specific street in a city, this website is also a good resource. There is a search tool that allows you find your street and its number, the city and zip code. And if you are looking to avoid areas of heavy traffic,...
Lugano Switzerland
Lugano Switzerland has virtually no nightlife, but the plethora of sights and sounds during the day more than make up for this apparent shortage in nightly entertainment. You begin the day to the sound of several macho roosters crowing nearby. Lugano Switzerland is small enough to tour on foot. However, if you want to ride, cycling is a wonderful alternative. Circle the shore of Lago di Lugano for a picturesque view of the southern Alps with its combination of Alpine and Mediterranean flora. Afterwards, if you are up for more beautiful sights, consider this list of the top attractions in Lugano Switzerland: Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angioli The church houses the magnificent frescoes dating back to the 16th century by Bernardino Luini. Located just a few hundred yards from the busy highway, the Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angioli remarkably exudes a sense of calm. Gandria For one of the most picturesque places in Lugano Switzerland, go to the tiny enclave of Gandria on...
Brienz Switzerland
Switzerland. Going by foot is also another option you have to get to Brienz Switzerland. This is great if you like to add a dash of adventure before you finally relax at your chosen hotel or hostel in Brienz Switzerland. However, you will have to cover a lot of ground. The good news is that this particular region of Switzerland has highly developed walking trails. They are well-groomed and often lead away from nearly every intersection, thus making your hike much more enjoyable and close to nature. Top Attractions For a destination of relatively low profile, Brienz Switzerland offers a cornucopia of wonderful sights and activities for you to enjoy. Foremost among its top attractions is the Viewpoint in Jungfraujoch. Considered as the granddaddy of all high-altitude excursions, it is here in Jungfraujoch that you will find the highest railroad station in the world. To get there, just take...
Travel Information In Switzerland
... any other expensive place around the world, there are always some things a traveler can do to lighten up the load of the travel expenses. With the help of some important travel information in Switzerland, one may just be able to give the country a shot for their next European holiday. Here's some main travel information in Switzerland that may be helpful for that next trip: Switzerland Accommodations One of the important travel information in Switzerland is its accommodations. Switzerland accommodations have a tendency to be expensive. Usually, hotels located near train stations are not as many as those in most other countries. It is advisable that one checks the hotel before agreeing to it. Switzerland hotel rooms also tend to be smaller but there are normally more available services. Hotel rates...
Skiing In Switzerland
... you can rest assured that you will enjoy skiing in Switzerland, especially at Andermatt, whether you are a beginner, advanced or expert. The powder snow lasts until late in the spring, so you can actually book your vacation when the season is almost over to get a better deal. Adelboden At 1,350 m above sea level, the idyllic chalet village of Adelboden is completely surrounded by the beautiful mountains of the Bernese Oberland. Skiing here is extravagant with an area stretching from 1,350 up to 2,400 m of the linked History Of Switzerland resort Adelboden-Lenk. As one of the top skiing areas in Switzerland, Adelboden offers rare features not often found in other ski resorts - altitude, variety, and snow-assuredness. The resort has 56 lift facilities, plus a network of runs which extend over 170 km. There are also a wide variety of leisure, including child-friendly activities. So if you are planning on skiing in Switzerland with your family in tow, this...
Switzerland
... settings against a backdrop of dramatic landscapes? How about a fascinating cornucopia of unique cultures - French, German, and Italian? Or perhaps, you just want to hike along trails with breathtaking vistas? Or pamper yourself in the lap of luxury? When you are in Switzerland, you can take your pick from among any of these wonderful offerings. Geography Bordered to the north by Germany, to the west by France, to the south by Italy, and to the east by Austria and Liechtenstein, Switzerland is a country with a strong tradition of political and military neutrality. However, don't let Switzerland's neutrality fool you. The country is History Of Switzerland by no means flavorless. As a landlocked country, Switzerland is particularly known for its mountains. In the south are the spectacular snow-capped Alps and in the northwest is the magnificent Jura. But besides mountains, Switzerland also has a central plateau, composed of plains, large lakes, and rolling hills. Language Switzerland has four official languages - German, French, Italian, and the little known "Romansh,"...
Switzerland Travel
... expect from a country where "alpinism" originated from? With approximately 50,000 km worth of trails, you can rest assured that your Switzerland travel hiking adventure will lead you through all kinds of terrain with dramatic views of this stunningly beautiful country. Mountain Sports For the History Of Switzerland adventurer at heart or those who want to try something with a little more edge, Switzerland travel also offers plenty of opportunities. Mountain sports such as climbing, ski touring, ice climbing, deep-snow skiing, heli-skiing, glacier walking, and snow boarding are but only a few. Accommodations come in the form of alpine huts and chalets. However, if you have decided to spend your Switzerland travel vacation in Geneva, there are a variety of ski resorts where you can check in. Portes de Soleil, for instance,...
Swiss Watches Switzerland
... watch-making instead of crafting jewelries. The center for design and marketing of Swiss watches Switzerland was Geneva. This is true both before and after the city joined the Swiss Confederation in 1815. However, the manufacture of Swiss watches Switzerland also spread to other areas, most notable of which is Canton Neuchatel. To learn more about watch-making as well as exercise their skills, many Swiss craftsmen traveled abroad. The best known among them is undoubtedly Abraham-Louis Breguet who is regarded by many as the greatest watchmaker of all time. His ideas constitute important additions to designing Swiss watches Switzerland, and just watches, in general. One example of a development by Breguet is the tourbillon, which is a device that enables the gear train to function even with gravity working against it. Another History Of Switzerland is the self winding watch, which is often attributed to fellow Swiss, Abraham-Louis Perrelet. Breguet helped develop the idea for it. But more than design, what...
Hiking Switzerland
... peaks, spectacular meadows complete with cows munching on wild History Of Switzerland flowers, a highly developed trail system (one of the best in the world), and quaint villages the likes of which you only see in movies. With all these things to offer, plus more, hiking Switzerland must be an experience not to be missed. But before you pack your bags and board the plane for the Land of the Alps, you need to consider a few things. Hiking Switzerland: Where to go? When talking about hiking Switzerland, there are only three destinations to bear in mind: the Valais, the Oberland, and Engadine. Valais Or Wallis in Swiss-German. The Valais features many of Europe's highest mountains with glaciated peaks and dry sunny weather. It is a true hiker's paradise and perfect for a hiking Switzerland vacation. Here you will find world-famous destinations such as Matterhorn, the resort town of Saas Fee and the Zermatt. In addition to...
Switzerland Cheap Air Travel
... want to find the best deal there is on a flight, the way to go is always through Switzerland cheap air travel. Switzerland cheap air travel is for those who understand that saving a bundle on airfares can work to your benefit. Now, instead of drilling a hole in your wallet on a single flight, you can apply your travel funds to the rest of your vacation and have a truly History Of Switzerland memorable time exploring the Swiss Alps and partaking of the famous Swiss cheese and chocolates. At any rate, there is only negligible difference between a coach seat on an inexpensive airline and one on the six major airlines - American, United, Delta, Northwest, Continental, and US Airways. When searching for Switzerland cheap air travel, do it online as this is one way for you to stay up to date to any new promos or specials that airlines might offer. However, do not limit...
Switzerland Info
Travelers have to be ready for a variety of temperatures reliant on altitude. For those who want to enjoy outdoor pursuits, except skiing, summer is the best and most agreeable time to visit. Switzerland Info #2 - People, Society, and Language Switzerland is a mixture of cultures with populace of German at about 63.7%, Italian 6.4%, French 20.4%, Romansch 0.5%, and other about nine percent. There is also a blend of religion from Roman Catholics, to Protestants, to Muslims, to Orthodox Christian, History Of Switzerland and others. There are also four main languages spoken in the country where French, Italian, and German are the official languages, and Romansch is the used as the official tongue for Romansch-speaking people. English is growingly taught at an early age. Switzerland Info #3 - Currency, Time, and Government Switzerland's currency is Swiss Franc, shortened as CHF, and issued in banknotes denominations of 10, 20,...