Despite its position at the heart of Europe and its quintessentially European nature, Switzerland's history is often overlooked within the English-speaking world. This comprehensive and engaging history of Switzerland traces the historical and cultural development of this fascinating but neglected European country from the end of the Dark Ages up to the present. The authors focus on the initial Confederacy of the Middle Ages; the religious divisions which threatened it after 1500 and its surprising survival amongst Europe's monarchies; the turmoil following the French Revolution and conquest, which continued until the Federal Constitution of 1848; the testing of the Swiss nation through the late nineteenth century and then two World Wars and the Depression of the 1930s; and the unparalleled economic and social growth and political success of the post-war era. The book concludes with a discussion of the contemporary challenges, often shared with neighbours, that shape the country today.

A Concise History of Switzerland

The first edition of A Short History of Switzerland (published in May 2018) has sold electronic and print copies in the United States, Brazil, Japan, the UK and the rest of Europe. However, continuing research revealed some omissions that deserved to be rectified. Most chapters have been revised and extended. Published on March 31, 2019 Part 2 now includes seven chapters: "The Helvetians: Living under Occupation" has been replaced with "Pax Romana" and "Medieval Switzerland." Also, "The Transition Period" covers the bumpy road from confederacy to federal republic between 1798 and 1848. In addition I wrote three new chapters on winter sports, the Swiss environmental movement, and transportation infrastructure. Illustrations and maps that now total 39 help to put things in perspective. A picture tells a thousand words. Personal contributions of industrious commoners have been added, such as skiing pioneer Christoph Iselin, Federal Switzerland's first general, Hans Herzog and its first Secretary of Labour, Hermann Greulich. Altogether the second edition has 75% more content. A dose of enthusiasm appears needed to bring the subject up-to-date. My love of history goes all the way back to primary school, when the teacher retold fanciful (and occasionally exaggerated) tales of the brave Eidgenossen. The fateful meeting between representatives of Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden that produced an eternal alliance continues to influence present-day Switzerland. But Swiss history dates back a lot further than 1291. I recall how impressed my schoolboy younger self was by the great arena in Augusta Raurica, the largest north of the Alps during Roman times. Nevertheless, the early Helvetians had already proved their skills by creating such beautiful items as the gold cup of Eschenz, 2,000 years before Caesar's arrival. Swiss historians have diligently researched their country's past. Foremost among them remains the late Edgar Bonjour (1989-1991). Citizens remember him as the Grand Master of the country's historical sciences. Bonjour gained fame through his multi-volume "History of Swiss Neutrality" and also his comprehensive report to the Federal Council on the country's foreign policy during World War II. As well, he wrote "A Short History of Switzerland" during the early 1950s, in collaboration with two English historians. This work I have consulted extensively for my update. Bonjour's account was nearly flawless, but his book ended with the Second World War, and some of his terms now appear dated. Also, archaeological research has since uncovered more details about life in pre-historic, ancient and confederacy-era Switzerland.In many ways the country's geography has made Switzerland unique. Swiss geologists and engineers have devised a model of a public transportation system, overcoming incredible odds and challenges due to mountains, risk of erosion and avalanches, meandering waterways and thick forests. Politically the country has become the world's foremost direct democracy, where enough signatures for an initiative automatically trigger a referendum. A Short History of Switzerland attempts to capture the essence of the little country that could, from the perspective of someone who grew up there and went through the country's school system. The book makes the Swiss story accessible to readers with fluency in English. At the same time, the narrative does not shy away from controversial topics, including the war time experience or drug addiction problems.

A Short History of Switzerland

This charming and spirited story of the extraordinary European nation begins with the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of the Swiss people amongst the challenging landscape of the rugged Alps, and follows their tale through the development of feudalism, the struggle for control by warlords, the Thirty Years War, and into the aftermath of the French Revolution. First published in 1832, this is a tale of dramatic splendor performed by captivating personalities-here is a work of classic history that will delete Europhiles and students of the past alike. Scottish author JOHN WILSON (1785-1854) sometimes wrote under the pseudonym "Christopher North" for Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine. He is also the author of Lights and Shadows of Scottish Life (1822), The Trials of Margaret Lyndsay (1823), and The Foresters (1825), among other works.

The History of Switzerland

History of Château-d'Oex, Vaud, Switzerland.

Switzerland

As the first legal history of Switzerland in English, this seminal work presents the legal development in the territory of today's Switzerland. Until 1798, the Swiss Confederation consisted of a conglomerate of around 50 local authorities with different constitutional statuses. The number of legislative jurisdictions was even greater; each territory, however small, had its own legal system before 1798. In the 19th century, legal unity was initially created within the framework of cantonal law and, since 1848, at the national level. Key developments of the 20th century were equality between men and women, social legislation and the influence of technological development. The focus of the book is on constitutional history, legal sources and legislation, court proceedings and jurisprudence. It also presents the political, economic and social backgrounds of legal developments

Swiss Legal History

A fascinating and unbiased account of the Swiss people, their history and customs, their literature, art and science, religious turmoil and economic problems. “Don't sell this as a travel book. Actually, I could wish for a little more of that aura, but since it is not intended as such, that is mere quibbling. For here is an intellectual approach to the history, the geography, the political structure of a country that in many ways might serve as a microcosm of world federation in action. But the author has approached the subject realistically, and torn off the overlay of legend and story, showing a small country, protected from encroachments by its geographic expression, but far from being an oasis of peace. The cantons warred one with another; religious wars and civil wars tore them internally; the Catholic cantons attempted secession in 1848 and only then were the two major segments—Catholic and Protestant, brought together under one constitution. There were internecine class wars constantly. But by the end of the 15th century common sense dictated a common military organization of defense only to have the Reformation rip them asunder again. Finally the Congress of Vienna established the bound aries. Successive popular legends are gently dissected and disproved, and full circle is traced to Switzerland progresses from a peasant economy, to conquerors, soldiers of fortune, state monopolies, and back to unity of farmers and merchants. Names in the hall of fame, Voltaire, Rousseau, Amiel, and other writers; Pestalozzi, Henri Dumon, Zwingli—names internationally known in their fields; brief biographies integral to the overall picture of a people in a chronic state of political excitement, but yet able to evolve an aesthetic and cultural life, and a reputation for stability...Plenty of controversial but revealing material here; scholarly without being pedantic in style.”-Kirkus reviews

The Swiss Without Halos

Swiss History in a Nutshell gives you an easy-to-read insight into - the most fascinating moments in Switzerland's rich and colourful history - from its cavemen to its conquests, foundation, growth, independence and prosperity - Switzerland's surprising past as a leading military power in Europe - how Swiss democracy matured through several revolutions - the origins of Swiss cultural differences and how they were overcome to create a stable federal republic - how Switzerland's direct democracy, consensus politics and legendary good industrial relations were achieved. Cartoons (naughty and nice) illustrate this kaleidoscope of key events that have created Switzerland as it is today.

Swiss History in a Nutshell

The award-winning author of Target Switzerland uses “a wide breadth of research to attempt to answer why Switzerland escaped the Nazi onslaught” (Daly History Blog). While surrounded by the Axis powers in World War II, Switzerland remained democratic and, unlike most of Europe, never succumbed to the siren songs and threats of the Nazi goliath. This book tells the story with emphasis on two voices rarely heard. One voice is that of scores of Swiss who lived in those dark years, told through oral history. They mobilized to defend the country, labored on the farms, and helped refugees. The other voice is that of Nazi Intelligence, those who spied on the Swiss and planned subversion and invasion. Exhaustive documents from the German military archives reveals a chilling rendition of attack plans which would be dissuaded in part by Switzerland’s armed populace and Alpine defenses. Laced with unique maps and photos, the book reveals how the Swiss mobilized an active “spiritual defense” of their country—including the use of the press and cabaret as weapons against totalitarianism—and explores the role of women in the military and economy, the role of Jewish officers in the highest levels of the Swiss army, and the role of Switzerland itself as America’s window on the Reich. “Halbrook succeeds not only in achieving a thorough analysis of Switzerland’s armed neutrality, but also in revealing through their own voices the willingness of ordinary citizens to accept total war in order to preserve their freedom.”—Swiss American Historical Society Review

The Swiss and the Nazis

Finally, the real history of Switzerland for clever kids and clever kids-at-heart: dukes slaughtered by filthy peasants, innocent "witches" hung up by their necks, buried gold, female mountaineers and, of course, all those murderous cows... Not the fake history of Heidi and William Tell, but 'Swisstory' - from ancient mountain people right up to women's right to vote. Hilariously illustrated by bestselling Swiss artist Michael Meister (The Monster Book of Switzerland), Swisstory is outrageous, fascinating, gruesome - and completely true.

Swisstory

The Importance of Monetary Stability as the Main Objective of Central Bank Policy in a Paper Money System -- Fixed versus Flexible Exchange Rates -- Small Country, Independent Currency: the Value of Monetary Sovereignty -- Bibliography -- Index

Swiss Monetary History since the Early 19th Century

This updated second edition of Historical Dictionary of Switzerland features the nation's multicultural and democratic traditions and institutions, its complex history, and its people's involvement in past and present world affairs.

Historical Dictionary of Switzerland

In this comprehensive study of the Swiss Reformation, Gordon examines the event in the context of the history of the Swiss Federation. The Reformation is presented as a narrative of events followed by an examination of various key themes surrounding the event.

The Swiss Reformation

The Republican Alternative seeks to move beyond the mere notion of scholarly inquiry into the republic—the subject of recent rediscovery by political historians interested in Europe’s intellectual heritage—by investigating the practical similarities and differences between two early modern republics, as well as their self-images and interactions during the turbulent seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Among the world’s most economically successful societies, Switzerland and the Netherlands laid much of the foundation for their prosperity during the early modern period discussed here. This volume attempts to clarify the special character of these two countries as they developed, including issues of religious plurality, the republican form of government, and an increasingly commercially-driven agrarian society.

The Republican Alternative

The Swiss Military System

An account of the Swiss soldiers of fortune who plied their trade in the foreign regiments of European militaries and even the American Civil War. The white mercenaries who attracted the world’s attention in the Congo during the early 1960s were never more than a few hundred in number. In contrast, no fewer than a million Swiss troops served as mercenaries in the armies of Europe during the preceding 500 years. Swiss mercenaries form a significant strand in the rope of European military history, and this book draws on many French and German-language sources to describe how the Swiss emerged from the isolated valleys of the Alps with a new method of warfare. Their massed columns of pike-carrying infantry were the first foot-soldiers since Roman times who could hold their own against the cavalry. For a brief period at the end of the fifteenth century the Swiss army appeared unbeatable, and after Swiss independence had been ensured they were hired out as mercenaries throughout Europe. Kings and generals competed to hire these elite combat troops. Nearly half of the million served with the French, their centuries of loyal service culminating with the massacre of the Swiss Guards during the French Revolution. Marlborough, Frederick the Great and Napoleon all hired large numbers of Swiss troops, and three Swiss regiments served in the British Army.

One Million Mercernaries

During the 14th and 15th centuries military tactics in Europe underwent a period of sustained transformation of which the outcome was the rejuvenation of the footsoldier as the major tactical unit. One nation alone stands principally responsible for this development – the Swiss Confederation. For centuries the mounted knights had 'ridden roughshod over the populations of Europe'. It was in the Swiss halberdier and later the pikeman that the mounted men-at-arms were to meet their match. This absorbing text by Douglas Miller provides an account of rise of the Swiss army to its tactical zenith, beginning with the classic encounter at Morgarten.

The Swiss at War 1300–1500

Ever since the 15th century Switzerland had been exporting professional soldiers to serve as mercenaries for foreign monarchies. Napoleon, therefore, was not the first to make full use of the martial qualities of the Swiss and obtained Swiss agreement to expand the recruitment of regiments for service in the French Army. Napoleon would use Swiss troops on the battlefields of Italy and Spain, and in 1812 re-organize the four original regiments into a single division for the invasion of Russia, with each regiment having three full-strength battalions. In November of 1812, meeting up with Napoleon's main force retreating from Moscow at the Berezina River, the Swiss on the west bank guarded the approaches to the pontoon bridges from the Russian attack to the south. Just 1,200 Swiss out of the approximately 8,000 that entered Russia were left to face, along with 8,000 other remnants of other units, the 30,000-strong Russian army. The Swiss held their ground and when their ammunition ran out they charged the Russians with bayonets. This book reveals the proud combat history of the Swiss troops of Napoleon's army as well as the colourful uniforms they wore.

Napoleon’s Swiss Troops

Between 1848 and 1914 around 5,800 Swiss Mercenaries enlisted in the Dutch Colonial Army (KNIL) to fight in the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia). Following the traces of these mercenaries beyond the confines of the Dutch Empire, this book elucidates the complexities of the nineteenth-century military labour markets and provides an intricate examination of the mercenaries' socio-cultural backgrounds, their motives, and their engagement with local communities and authorities. In doing so, it reveals the profound effects of colonialism not only on the colonies themselves, but also on the social, economic and cultural landscape of the European hinterland.

Swiss Mercenaries in the Dutch East Indies

In medieval and Renaissance Europe, mercenaries--professional soldiers who fought for money or other rewards--played violent, colorful, international roles in warfare, but they have received relatively little scholarly attention. In this book a large number of vignettes portray their activities in Western Europe over a period of nearly 900 years, from the Merovingian mercenaries of 752 through the Thirty Years' War, which ended in 1648. Intended as an introduction to the subject and drawing heavily on contemporary first-person accounts, the book creates a vivid but balanced mosaic of the many thousands of mercenaries who were hired to fight for various employers.

Mercenaries in Medieval and Renaissance Europe

History of Switzerland

A History of Switzerland

“The” History of Switzerland

History of Switzerland, 1499-1914

Switzerland's history is shaped by its geographical isolation and political neutrality. In 1291, three regions—Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden—formed a defensive alliance, marking the birth of the Swiss Confederation. Over time, more cantons joined, and by the late Middle Ages, Switzerland achieved de facto independence from the Holy Roman Empire. During the Reformation in the 16th century, religious divisions emerged, with some areas becoming Protestant while others remained Catholic. Switzerland adopted neutrality during the Napoleonic Wars and has since maintained this stance, avoiding involvement in both World Wars. In the 19th century, it transitioned into a federal state with a new constitution in 1848, fostering political stability. Today, Switzerland is known for its neutrality, direct democracy, and a strong economy centered on banking, pharmaceuticals, and technology.