On the Trail of History in Switzerland

Why History for Expats?  

If you’re thinking of living in Switzerland, or you’ve recently moved, you’ll know that it may take a while to settle in, as with any move to a new country. At the beginning, you might feel like you’re floating on the surface without fully understanding the place you've moved to. Learning about Swiss history can help you overcome this stage more quickly and grow roots in your new home. Visit some of the sites listed below or find out about the local history where you live to understand Switzerland better and integrate more quickly.  

Prehistoric Times 

Humans have been present in Switzerland for about 400,000 years, but they didn’t settle permanently until about 11,000 years ago. Many of the earliest settlers lived in stilt houses on the shores of lakes.  

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You can learn more about prehistoric Switzerland at the Laténium Museum in Hauterive, canton Neuchatel. There are also two stilt dwelling villages, Gletterens in Fribourg and Wauwil in Lucerne. 

Roman Rule and the Early Middle Ages  

From the 3rd century BCE to the 5th or 6th centuries, Switzerland was part of the Roman Empire. Colonies were established, Christianity was introduced, and the prehistoric people adopted Roman ways of life.  

When the Roman Empire ended in Western Europe, the Germanic peoples and several other groups migrated to Switzerland and the surrounding countries. Christianity became even more widespread, and both the church and the nobility began to own large portions of the land.  

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There are multiple museums and Roman settlements you can visit in Switzerland. Some of the most popular ones are Augusta Raurica in Basel Land and Vindonissa in canton Aargau. Leuk Castle in Valais is another great place if you’re interested in early Swiss history.  

After 1291 

In 1291, the three Swiss cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden swore to protect each other from the Habsburgs. Today, this oath is still considered the birth of Switzerland.  

In the centuries that followed, more cantons joined this loose alliance, either voluntarily or because they were bought or conquered. However, Switzerland wasn't a peaceful place like it is today. One major source of conflict in the late Middle Ages was the Reformation. In Switzerland, this movement was led by Huldrych Zwingli in Zurich and John Calvin in Geneva. The conflict between the Catholics and the emerging Protestants led to repeated wars, most notably the Kappel Wars in the 16th century.  

Other wars in medieval Switzerland included:  

The Battles of Morgarten and Sempach 

In 1315 and 1386, the Swiss fought battles against the Habsburgs to attain and defend their independence. They won both times.  

The Battle of Marignano  

In 1515, the French and Swiss fought over control of Milan, which the Swiss had conquered. The French won. However, the Swiss Confederation signed a peace treaty with France a year later. This is widely believed to be the start of Swiss neutrality. 

The 30 Years’ War 

Although the Swiss weren’t involved in this 17th-century war, the treaty that ended it resulted in the recognition of Swiss independence in 1648. 

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The birthplace of Switzerland is located at the Rütli meadow in Uri. There is also a Morgarten trail in Zurich and a guided tour about the Reformation in Geneva.  

Swiss Independence and the Birth of Swiss Neutrality 

Switzerland’s success at staying out of the 30 Years’ War laid the foundation for its neutrality. By the 18th century, religious and political tensions eased, and Switzerland enjoyed several decades of peace. At the same time, the first elements of the Industrial Revolution emerged in the form of cottage industries.  

However, the end of the century was marked by the Napoleonic war. At this time, the rural Swiss started to demand greater equality. In 1798, the French invaded Switzerland, and the current political system of the Confederacy collapsed. It was replaced first by the Helvetic Republic and then by a federal state.  

In 1814 and 1815, a series of international diplomatic meetings took place. Switzerland was assured permanent neutrality, and it has not been involved in any battles since, except for the one-month-long civil war in 1847. The first Swiss constitution was promulgated on September 12, 1848, and the second constitution was adopted in 1874. This was replaced by the current version in 1999.  

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Two museums that showcase Swiss art and artifacts from the 18th century are the Museum im Kornhaus in Rorschach, canton St. Gallen, and the Rosenegg Museum in canton Thurgau. If you want to learn about the Swiss constitution, the National Museum Zurich is a great place to start. 

The 20th Century 

Switzerland remained neutral in both World Wars. In 1920, it joined the League of Nations. Although direct conflict was avoided, the Swiss economy still felt the effects of the two wars and the 1929 global economic crisis.  

After World War II, Switzerland experienced an economic upswing, along with the other European nations. Over several decades, its economy shifted away from the industrial and towards the service sector. 

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Visit the Civil Defence Museum in Zurich if you’re interested in Switzerland during the World Wars. For insights into Switzerland’s scientific advances in the 20th century, a visit to CERN in Geneva or the Einstein House in Bern could be interesting. 

Modern Switzerland 

Towards the end of the 20th century, globalisation began to impact Switzerland to a greater degree. Although it didn’t join the EU, it negotiated bilateral agreements, such as the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. In 2002, Switzerland also joined the UN. The proportion of foreign residents has increased significantly in the 21st century and now stands at over 25%. Switzerland’s foreign policy is hotly debated, with the right-wing SVP party campaigning for a cap on the Swiss population and the more liberal parties arguing that the close ties with the EU must be maintained. 

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You can visit the UN headquarters in Geneva to learn more about the organisation and Switzerland’s role in an international context.