important swiss historyyyyy Flashcards
United we stand
- within the Holy Roman Empire during the 13th century the Habsburgs controlled the German-speaking part of present day Switzerland
- Waldstätten: Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden
- in apline valleys life was hard
- their stategic location on important lines od communication awakened the interest of powerful families
confederative associations
- to protect themselves against internal threats
The Emperor’s favours
- 1231 Uri opened a transit passage across the Alps via the Gotthard pass
- stategic axis
- optained the so-called “imperial freedom”
- the community was placed directly under the Holy ROman Empire and not under the Habsburgs
Emperor Rudolf I
- 1291
- the first Habsburg to carry the imperial title
- attempted to re-establish the Habsburgs’ authority over the forest cantons
The Rütli oath
- Werner Stauffacher of Schwyz
- Walter Fürst of Uri
- Arnold con Melchtal von Unterwald
William Tell
- he refused to pay his respects to the Habsburgs coat of arms at Altdorf (UR)
- under threat of execution, Gessler, the bailiff of the Habsburgs, ordered him to shoot with his crossbow an aplle placed on his son’s head
- although Tell succeeded at this task, he was arrested
- he managed to escape and kill Gessler several days later
The Pact of 1291 included following provisions
- The forest communities promised “aid, help and assistance,” subject to thei submission to their lord (the emperor)
- Should any conflict arise between the allies, “ the wisest citizen of the Confederacy” would mediate
- Respect for administrative tradition was guaranteed.
- Judical cooperation was established: a criminal from Uri was not protected from judgement by fleeing to Schwyz.
The battle of Morgarten
Habsburgs and Switzerland clashed in 1315 in Morgarten (south of Zurich)
Duke Leopold I of Habsburg defeated by the confederates
victory of Morgatern encouraged to conclude a new pact in Brunnen (SZ) on 9. December 1315
from now they were called Eidgenossen
(meaning “those bound by an oath” or “Confederates”)
New members
Lucerne
- 1332
- closest proximity to the Confederates
- commercial hub
New members
Zurich
- 1351
- economic importance
- silk industry
- to protect it’s trading access to the Gotthard
New members
Glarus
- 1352
- wanted to free itself from the Habsburgs
- different status
New members
Zug
1352
The Confederates took this Habsburg town by siege.
New members
Bern
1353
independent military power
the town had conquered territories, including the Oberland
- July, 1386
The battle of Sempach
- Lucerne wanted to increase its dependence from the Habsburgs
- Habsburgs 4000 knights
- Confederates 1600
- they won killing 1800 of their enemies, including their leader, Duke Leopold II of Austria
9 April, 1399
The battle of Näfels
- Glarus announced its independence
- refusing to accept this the Habsburgs sent an army of 6500
- although reinforced with help from Schwyz they only had a tenth of the Habsburgs numbers
- The Swiss won the battle, however, and Glarus became a permanent member of the Confederation.
Territorial expansion
- 1400
In just over fifty yeras, the area of the Confederation increased almost fourfold.
- 1400 to control the passes to the east of the Gotthard, the Confederates made an alliance with the ” Grey Leagues” - three federated entites on the territory of present- day Graubünden
Territorial expansion
1402
Uri conquered northern Ticino (the Levantine valley), the first non-German speaking confederated territoy
Territorial Expansion
1403
Lucerne, Uri, Niderwalden and Oberwalden made alliance with Valais, protecting the western flank of the Gotthard.
Territorial Expansion
1415
The confederation invaded Aargau, which was divided between Bern, Lucerne and Zurich.
Territorial Expansion
1436
After a war against Zurich, Schwyz took control of part of what is today the canton of St. Gallen (Toggenburg)
Territorial Expansion
1451
The Confederates concluded an alliance with the town of St. Gallen, and then with Appenzell (1452), Schaffhausen(1454) and Mulhouse (Alsace, 1466)
Territorial Expansion
1460
The Confederation conquered Thurgau.
The Confederates v. the Burgundians
The Burgundian states, ruled since 1467 by Charled the Bold, were situated to the west of the Confederation. They occupied part of the present-day France.
The Confederates v. the Burgundians
concerned
1474
The Confederates were concerned about the growing of Burgundy, which had invaded Alsace and southern Germany. They made an alliance wth Louis XI, king of France, and jointly declared war on Burgundy in 1474.
The Confederates v. the Burgundians
1476
After Charles the Bold of Burgundy attacked the town of Grandson on Lake Neuchâtel, the confederate army attacks and defeats Charles’ army. A few months later, the Burgundian army is destroyed at the Battle of Murten with 10’000 killed.
What did the Habsburgs want?
- Gotthard
- they originated in Aagrau (Habsburg castle)
- Homeland!
comman loardships
- conquered together
- ruled together
- administred by bailiffs
Fribourg and Solothurn
1481
These two cities had taken part in the Burgundian wars. They requested membership in the Confederation. The rural cantons, however, feared losing their majority. The Diet met at Stans (NW).
After tree years of crisis, Staint Nicholaus of Flue, a hermit from Oberwalden, negotiated a compromise in 1484 known as “the Covenant of Stans” and Fribourg and Solothurn were admitted.
Basel and Schaffhausen
1501
These two northern towns were already allied with the Confederation and became full members.
Appenzell
1513
The valleys of Appenzell, were also allies and became the thirteenth canton.
The Swabian wars
1499
The Swabian wars lead to independence from the Roman empire. The first parliament (diet) is formed in Switzerland where representatives from different confederates met to consult and later vote issues.
Maximilian I
- father in low Charles the bold
- hated the confederates
- for him it seemed like the last situation to take the Gotthard and the Habsburgs castle
- so he attacked
- started in Graubünden -> then in Solothurn
- 1499: Battle of Dornach
- the confederates won!
