Watchmaking, the art of creating the mechanical timepieces we know today, only came into existence in the 14 th century. Great britain considered switzerland to be too submissive with regard to germany, and threatened a blockade. In april 2009, switzerland hosted the 2009 iihf world championship for the 10th time. The history of switzerland, for the swiss people heinrich zschokke. 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. Swiss history comprehensive site about swiss history from prehistory to the 20th century. 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 alludes to the helvetians, a celtic tribe who settled in switzerland. Switzerland history, flag, map, capital, population. You will find an informative overview of swiss history here. Neighboring countries include austria, france, italy, liechtenstein, and germany.
Switzerlands history can be traced back to the stone age around 350,000 bc, when the land was inhabited predominantly by hunters. I am interested in learning more about switzerlands history. History of switzerland the old swiss confederacy 12911515 the official date of birth of the old swiss confederation is august, 1 st 1291. The country takes its name from schwyz, one its original provinces called cantons. In a country where trains run to the second, and five minutes late is too late, scheduling is an art. Switzerland history swiss history facts about switzerland. Germany demanded credit in exchange for its iron and coal, and wanted to sell its gold against currency. I am interested in learning more about switzerland s history.
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. The historiography of switzerland is the study of the history of switzerland. A concise history of switzerland cambridge concise. While the history of switzerland can be traced back to 1291, that of its national flag dates back only to 1889. Foods invented in switzerland swiss tours and travel. 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. Throughout its history, the swiss flag has always had one feature that distinguishes it from all other national flags. Switzerlands small sizeits total area is about half that of scotlandand its modest population give little indication of its international significance. 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.
The ten most important dates in switzerlands history swi swissinfo. The vienna conference of 1815 declared switzerland s neutrality between european powers. The country has staunchly remained neutral as its bordering nations were mired by war, and this neutrality continues to characterize switzerland today. 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. For travelers, visiting some of the countrys historical attractions is one of the best ways to embrace swiss history. 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. May 10, 2020 switzerland, federated country of central europe. On 5 october 1998, swisscom ltd was floated on the stock exchange. Several circumstances conspire to draw the swiss into north italy during the early 16th century. Swiss history switzerland it borders on france in the west and southwest, with the jura mts. 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. In the same year switzerland was the second largest exporter of packaged medicine.
The many lakes in the country make switzerland a good place for sailing. Share discover in a free daily email todays famous history and birthdays enjoy the famous daily. This was the beginning of swiss watchmaking history. This article deals with the history of switzerland since 1848. 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. The untold story behind switzerlands success duration. How switzerland came to dominate watchmaking the new. Early history switzerland is one of the oldest nations in europe. The history of switzerland since 1848 has been largely one of success and prosperity. Switzerland, completely surrounded, imported more from germany than from the allies.
In bern, two of the more interesting historical attractions include the zytglogge and the munster. A concise history of switzerland cambridge concise histories. 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. 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.
This is only for the relations of the swiss mennonite family that eventually made their way to pennsylvania in the usa. 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. The pharmaceutical industry in switzerland directly and indirectly employs about 5,000 people. 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. Lee library, brigham young university, provo, utah, usa.
Swiss cantonal, local and family history historical swiss newspapers and journals. Switzerland declared itself a neutral state in 1515. The geography of switzerland is mostly mountains alps in south, jura in northwest with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes. Schweizerische landesbibliothek the swiss national library. 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. 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. 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.
History of switzerland lonely planet travel information. Nonetheless, the modern swiss flag variations can be traced back to the year 1815. At that time, all major european nations were interested in having switzerland as a neutral zone between france and austria. In fact, confoederatio helvetica, the latin name of the country, has.
Switzerlands administrative capital is bern, while lausanne serves as its judicial center. Genealogy projects tagged with switzerland on the geni family tree back to projects dashboard. In 2007, swisscom entered the tv industry and, by the end of 2012, it led the digital tv market with 791,000 subscribers. Switzerland s official name is swiss confederation, or schweizerische eidgenossenschaft in german early history switzerland is one of the oldest nations in europe. History of switzerland switzerland tourism myswitzerland. These considerations become apparent once there are developed communities on all sides. 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. Switzerlands official name is swiss confederation, or schweizerische eidgenossenschaft in german. The history of modernday switzerland dates back to 1291, but the history of its people goes back much further. Like the rest of europe switzerland suffered a recession in 2009 but it recovered from 2010 onward and today it is prosperous. 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. 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. Switzerland was the joint host, with austria, of the euro 2008 tournament.
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. 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. Early accounts of the history of the old swiss confederacy are found in the numerous swiss chronicles of the 14th to 16th centuries. 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 century. 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. The country has staunchly remained neutral as its bordering nations were mired by war, and this neutrality continues to characterize switzerland. Neutrality still plays a major role in todays politics.
If you are looking for a brief synopsis of the life and times of switzerland then i would. 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. Can you recommend a book on the history of switzerland. Scottish author john wilson 17851854 sometimes wrote under the pseudonym christopher north for blackwoods edinburgh magazine. The untold story behind switzerland s success duration. Switzerland simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 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. Read on to discover 12 events that shaped switzerland and its place in the world. Records show that by 1554 watchmakers were present and. The vatican is the only other sovereign state to have a square flag. History as a historical reality, william tell probably never existed.
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. Switzerlands small sizeits total area is about half that of scotlandand its modest population give. Like all of the countries in europe, switzerland has been home to human activity for more than 100,000 years. Switzerland history is full of interesting facts, and one could study it for years if they were so inclined. Switzerland was inhabited by the helvetii, and it came under roman rule in the 1st century bc. This shopping feature will continue to load items when the enter key is pressed. The european nation known as switzerland in english has several different names in the countrys four official languages. So far i have found it quite readable but perhaps a little light. Switzerlands history and culture has been largely characterized by its landlocked geographic position.
Many of the people who inhabited modernday switzerland in the early years didnt establish permanent settlements. There is no such thing as being fashionably late in switzerland. They belonged to a family of nations that has been designated as indoeuropeans because of evidently common roots in their languages that distinguish them from asian, african or semite arab, hebrew languages. It has a small burner underneath it to keep the fondue at constant temperature. Records show that by 1554 watchmakers were present and working in geneva.
The national league a is the most attended league in europe. List of books and articles about swiss history online. 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. Switzerlands history is one of a medieval defensive league formed during a time and in an area lacking imperial authority. Celtic tribes in switzerland history of the helvetians. Switzerlands official name is swiss confederation, or schweizerische eidgenossenschaft in german early history switzerland is one of the oldest. Switzerland is a landlocked country in central europe. Todays switzerland developed over several centuries, emerging out of a loose alliance of autonomous entities to become a federal state. Much of the territory covered by presentday switzerland is mountainous. 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. Richard hacken, european studies librarian, harold b. From 2009, swisscom pushed ahead with the expansion of the fibreoptic network in switzerland. In the roman period switzerland has imperial order to the south and west, but tribal chaos in varying degrees to the north. Switzerland s history is implicit in its geography.
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. Switzerland history is about as interesting as history gets. The cantons have a longstanding interest in controlling two passes the st. For this reason, the alpine passes have played a significant role in the development of.
Switzerland s history is one of a medieval defensive league formed during a time and in an area lacking imperial authority. What digital items do customers buy after viewing this item. Swiss cantonal, local and family history historical swiss newspapers and journals online switzerland. On swiss coins today youll see the word helvetica or ch confederation helvetique. This castle could be the backdrop to one of your favorite fairytales. 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. Though switzerland is small and landlocked, it manages to offer the delights from all of its neighboring countries and its multiple cultures.
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