Which founding cantons (Urkantone) formed an alliance in 1291?
Welche Urkantone schlossen sich 1291 zu einem Bündnis zusammen?
Correct answer: D
- A St. Gallen, Thurgau, SchaffhausenSt. Gallen, Thurgau, Schaffhausen
- B Geneva, Vaud, FribourgGenf, Waadt, Freiburg
- C Bern, Zurich, ZugBern, Zürich, Zug
- D Uri, Schwyz, UnterwaldenUri, Schwyz, Unterwalden
Why
In 1291, the three valley communities on Lake Lucerne recorded their alliance in the Federal Charter (Bundesbrief). That is why they are called the founding cantons (Urkantone).
Common mistakes
- C: Bern, Zurich, Zug
- Zurich, Zug and Bern only joined the Confederation in the 14th century (1351 to 1353).
- B: Geneva, Vaud, Fribourg
- Geneva, Vaud and Fribourg were outside the alliance at that time; Geneva and Vaud only became cantons in the 19th century.
Topic
1291, the Rütli and William Tell
At the beginning of August 1291, three valley communities on Lake Lucerne formed an alliance: Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden. They are called the founding cantons (Urkantone). Today Unterwalden is divided into two cantons: Obwalden and Nidwalden. The alliance is recorded in a document in Latin, the Federal Charter. In it, the valley communities promised each other mutual help and wanted to settle disputes peacefully.
- 58 BCHelvetii and Romans
- 1291The Rütli and William Tell
- 1515Marignano
- 1523The Reformation
- 1798The French and Napoleon
- 1815Neutrality
- 1848Sonderbund War and the federal state
- 19th c.From agrarian state to industrial state
- 1918National general strike
- 1939–1945Second World War
- 1948Prosperity and AHV
- 1970Immigration and the Schwarzenbach initiative
- 1971Women's suffrage and equal rights
- 1979The youngest canton: Jura
History of Switzerland
Beginnings and the Old Swiss Confederacy
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 226 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.