Historical survey
The federal structure
Christianity, brought by the Roman legionnaires, first appeared in Gaul at the end of the 3rd Century A.D. The first physical traces of Christianity in Switzerland date back to the 4th century. (...)
Reformation and Counter Reformation
During the 16th Century, Switzerland was plunged into the Reformation – it being the second centre after Germany – and the advent of Protestantism dramatically changed the country. From as early (...)
Napoleon and the Sonderbund
After the Thirty Years’ war (1618-1648), Switzerland formally acquired its independence. Nevertheless, the state of affairs within the country remained very tense, leading to peasant revolts on (...)
Religious peace and the new Federal State
he new Constitution was adopted in 1848 and it encouraged the development of trade and industries. Due to the influence of the progressive Protestants, a certain number of rights and freedoms, (...)
The 20th Century
Relations between the two religions improved due to the workings of Switzerland’s federal democracy. This can be noted especially after Vatican II (1965), because ecumenism could then really (...)