Swiss Passport

What did the so-called «Schwarzenbach initiative» of 1970 demand?

Was verlangte die sogenannte «Schwarzenbach-Initiative» 1970?

Correct answer: D

  1. A the introduction of English lessons in primary schooldie Einführung des Englischunterrichts in der Primarschule
  2. B a ban on building minaretsein Verbot von Minarettbauten
  3. C the abolition of the armydie Abschaffung der Armee
  4. D a limit on the number of foreignerseine Begrenzung der Anzahl Ausländerinnen und Ausländer

Why

The initiative wanted to limit the number of foreigners in each canton except Geneva to at most 10 percent. It was narrowly rejected in 1970.

Common mistakes

B: a ban on building minarets
The minaret ban was a different initiative and was accepted in 2009.

Topic

Immigration and the Schwarzenbach initiative

After the Second World War, the economy grew strongly. Switzerland needed many workers. In 1948 it concluded an agreement with Italy. After that, mainly Italians came. They worked in construction, in factories and in hotels. Many only had a permit as a seasonal worker (Saisonnier): they were allowed to stay for a few months and could not bring their family. Later, people also came from Spain, Portugal, Yugoslavia and Turkey.

Timeline of Swiss history
  1. 58 BCHelvetii and Romans
  2. 1291The Rütli and William Tell
  3. 1515Marignano
  4. 1523The Reformation
  5. 1798The French and Napoleon
  6. 1815Neutrality
  7. 1848Sonderbund War and the federal state
  8. 19th c.From agrarian state to industrial state
  9. 1918National general strike
  10. 1939–1945Second World War
  11. 1948Prosperity and AHV
  12. 1970Immigration and the Schwarzenbach initiative
  13. 1971Women's suffrage and equal rights
  14. 1979The youngest canton: Jura

History of Switzerland
The 20th century

Sources

Last checked: September 2026

Question 212 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.

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