What led to the denominational split of Switzerland?
Was führte zur konfessionellen Spaltung der Schweiz?
Correct answer: B
- A the Anabaptist movementdie Täuferbewegung
- B the Reformationdie Reformation
- C the general strikeder Generalstreik
- D the dissolution of the monasteriesdie Aufhebung der Klöster
Why
With the Reformation, some cantons became Reformed and others stayed Catholic. As a result, there were two denominations in the Confederation.
Common mistakes
- A: the Anabaptist movement
- The Anabaptists were a small group within the Reformation; they were persecuted, but did not split the country.
- D: the dissolution of the monasteries
- Monasteries were dissolved as a result of the Reformation; the cause of the split was the Reformation itself.
- C: the general strike
- The general strike (Landesstreik) was in 1918 and had nothing to do with religion.
Topic
In the 16th century, many people in Europe wanted to renew the Catholic Church. For example, they criticised the fact that people could buy their way out of their sins with money. This religious movement is called the Reformation. It began in 1517 in Germany with Martin Luther. It gave rise to the Protestant faith, in Switzerland usually called «Reformed» or «Evangelical Reformed».
- 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
Reformation, Napoleon and neutrality
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 232 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.