What killed almost half of Zurich's population between 1611 and 1635?
An was starb zwischen 1611 und 1635 fast die Hälfte der Zürcher Bevölkerung?
Correct answer: A
- A the plaguean der Pest
- B the coronavirusam Corona-Virus
- C canceran Krebs
- D the Spanish fluan der Spanischen Grippe
Why
The plague came to Zurich in 1611, 1629 and 1635 and killed a large part of the population.
Exam answer: «an der Pest» (the plague); according to the study brochure, half of the population died. Today: the Historical Dictionary of Switzerland gives losses of up to 40 percent (HLS, article «Zürich (Kanton)», 2017).
Common mistakes
- D: the Spanish flu
- The Spanish flu was in 1918, so much later.
- B: the coronavirus
- The coronavirus only spread from 2020.
Topic
Ulrich (also Huldrych) Zwingli lived from 1484 to 1531. From 1519 he was a pastor at the Grossmünster in Zurich. He wanted to renew the church and base it only on the Bible. This renewal is called the Reformation. Zwingli is the reformer of Zurich. Martin Luther was the reformer in Germany, John Calvin in Geneva.
Canton and municipality of Zurich
Zurich: history
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 251 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.