Swiss Passport

In 1515, the Confederates lost the Battle of Marignano. What were the consequences of this defeat?

Im Jahr 1515 verloren die Eidgenossen die Schlacht bei Marignano. Welche Folgen hatte diese Niederlage?

Correct answer: A

  1. A The Confederates gave up conquering further territories.Die Eidgenossen verzichteten auf die Eroberung weiterer Gebiete.
  2. B Switzerland abolished its army.Die Schweiz schaffte ihre Armee ab.
  3. C The peasants rose up against the governments in Bern, Zurich and Lucerne.Die Bauern wehrten sich gegen die Regierungen in Bern, Zürich und Luzern.
  4. D The Confederates attacked the city of Zurich.Die Eidgenossen überfielen die Stadt Zürich.

Why

After the heavy defeat against France, the Confederates gave up Milan and concluded the «Perpetual Peace» in 1516. After that, the Confederation gave up its policy of conquest.

Common mistakes

B: Switzerland abolished its army.
The Confederates kept their troops; Swiss mercenaries even continued to fight for France.
C: The peasants rose up against the governments in Bern, Zurich and Lucerne.
This describes the Peasants' War of 1653, not the consequences of Marignano.

Topic

Marignano 1515

In the 15th century, the Confederates were militarily very strong. They conquered new territories and fought as mercenaries for foreign rulers. At the beginning of the 16th century, they fought for control of Milan in northern Italy. In doing so, they came into conflict with the King of France.

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
Beginnings and the Old Swiss Confederacy

Sources

Last checked: September 2026

Question 230 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.

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