Swiss History in a Nutshell
- An insight into Switzerland’s past, the origins of its cultural differences, and how direct democracy and consensus politics originated
- An accessible and easy-to-read book
- Cartoons by Mix & Remix for a different perspective on the subject
Whether you’ve just arrived in Switzerland or lived here many years, knowing about Swiss history helps you feel at home. An easy read, Swiss History in a Nutshell gives you an 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 archieved
Cartoons (naughty and nice) illustrate this kaleidoscope of key events that have created Switzerland as it is today.
Before Switzerland (pre-historic to 1921)
Cavemen and lake dwellers
Our ancestors the Celts
Helvetia under the Roman Empire
Religions and languages: the origins
From the Franks to the Holy Roman Empire
The foundations (1291-1516)
The creation of Switzerland
Victories against the Habsburgs
The century of conquests
Marignano: emerging neutrality
An independent country (1517-1798)
The Reformation
The Reformation and westward expansion
The Ancien Régime
Full independence
The growth of Swiss territory
Transition to modern Switzerland (1798-1847)
Revolution in Switzerland
The Republic and the Act of Mediation
From thirteen to twenty-two cantons
Restoration and Regeneration
The Sonderbund war
The establishment of the Federal State (1848-1914)
The first Federal Constitution
The Constitution of 1874
Foreign relations
Economy and Society
The labour movement
The 20th century (1914 to the present)
World War I
The inter-war period
World War II
Relations with Germany
Rewriting history
Thirty golden years - the economic miracle
Political developments
Switzerland and the world
Annexes
Timeline
The 26 cantons
Index
