Brief Review

Brief History

The Swiss Constitution, establishing a federal state, did not come into existence until 1848. However, the history of the region’s inhabitants reaches back many millennia and its geographical situation helped create the neutral alliance of cantons (similar to states) that make up modern Switzerland.

The first evidence of human inhabitants in the area of Switzerland is 150.000 years ago, and the first flint tools 100.000 years ago. Around 2300 BCE, the first bronze was made in this area. This is an indication that trade with distant places was already taking place, as tin was not native to the area, a metal necessary to the mix with copper for the creation of bronze.

After the defeat of Hannibal in the 3rd century BCE, the Romans began to move into Switzerland, taking control of the Rhone Valley in order to protect the route between Italy and Spain. Under Roman rule the Swiss region was divided into five provinces where administrative centres and schools were set up. Though most people continued to speak their local Celtic dialect, the only language taught in the schools was Latin, so gradually the language replaced the old Celtic ones. The Romans withdrew from the area in the early 5th century due to pressure from invading Germanic tribes.

Following Roman rule, from about 400 to 1000, people migrating from different areas, primarily the north and east, bringing with them different cultures and languages, settled the area. There was no centralised government, but rule was shared between various kings, dukes and the Catholic Church.

Three rural communities created an alliance in 1291 to protect their freedoms against encroaching overlords. This is considered the beginning of the Swiss Confederation. By the end of the 15th century, enough communities had joined the Confederation to create a formidable army that was well-respected throughout Europe.

Though there was a great deal of upheaval in most of Europe during the Reformation, the Swiss Confederation was able to stay out of the 30-Years’ War due to the realisation that backing either the Catholics or Protestants would pull the Confederation apart. They remained neutral and guarded their borders to prevent invasions from foreign troops. With the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, the rest of Europe recognized Swiss independence.

The foundation of modern Switzerland dates from 1848 when a constitution was created that provided a more centralised government and economic area, comprised of 26 states (cantons), whereas previously disagreements between individual cantons had hindered growth.