Swiss Passport

What is the significance of the year 1848 in Swiss history?

Welche Bedeutung hat das Jahr 1848 für die Geschichte der Schweiz?

Correct answer: A

  1. A Founding of the Swiss federal stateGründung des Schweizer Bundesstaates
  2. B Guarantee of neutrality by the European powersGarantie der Neutralität durch die europäischen Mächte
  3. C Defeat of Confederate troops at MarignanoNiederlage eidgenössischer Truppen bei Marignano
  4. D Independence from the Holy Roman EmpireUnabhängigkeit vom Heiligen Römischen Reich

Why

On 12 September 1848, the first Federal Constitution entered into force. This created the Swiss federal state as we know it today.

Common mistakes

B: Guarantee of neutrality by the European powers
Neutrality was already recognised by the European powers in 1815.
C: Defeat of Confederate troops at Marignano
The defeat at Marignano was in 1515.
D: Independence from the Holy Roman Empire
Independence from the Holy Roman Empire was recognised in 1648 in the Peace of Westphalia.

Topic

Sonderbund War and the federal state of 1848

At the beginning of the 19th century, Switzerland was a loose alliance of cantons. There was a dispute between two groups. The Liberals, mainly in Reformed cantons, wanted a stronger common state. The Catholic-conservative cantons wanted to keep their independence. In 1845 they formed their own alliance: the Sonderbund (separate alliance). It included seven cantons, for example Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz and Fribourg.

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
Federal state and industrialisation

Sources

Last checked: September 2026

Question 213 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.

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