Timeline of Switzerland

Chronology

22 events spanning the history of Switzerland. BCE/CE dating.

1. 58 BCE – 400

   Helvetians stopped by roman commander C. Julius Cesar.

   Helvetians stopped by roman commander C. Julius Cesar when trying to move towards Southern France. Switzerland occupied by roman troops, beginning of written history in this region.

2. 400 – 1500

   Germanic tribes set an end to the Roman Empire and build new states and empires in Europe.

   Germanic tribes set an end to the Roman Empire and build new states and empires in Europe. Feudal system. Monasteries keep up roman and Greek heritage (reading and writing) and develop new agricultural methods.

3. 1191

   Duke Berthold V of Zähringen founds the city of Berne in today’s Switzerland.

   Duke Berthold V of Zähringen founds the city of Berne in today’s Switzerland.

4. 1260

   War breaks out in the Valais (today in Switzerland).

   War breaks out in the Valais (today in Switzerland) as the Bishopry of Sion defends against an invasion by the County of Savoy.

5. 1291 – 1515

   Three valleys in Central Switzerland unite against the counts of Habsburg and fight for autonomy.

   Three valleys in Central Switzerland unite against the counts of Habsburg and fight for autonomy. Cities join the confederacy. They conquer territories in northern and southern Switzerland.

6. 1315

   Decisive Battle against the counts of Habsburg.

   Decisive Battle against the counts of Habsburg.

7. 1499

   Swiss forces defeated the forces of the Holy Roman Empire.

   Swiss forces defeated the forces of the Holy Roman Empire. Switzerland won its complete independence from the empire.

8. 1536 – 1798

   Switzerland is a loose confederacy

   Switzerland is a loose confederacy of 13 cities and small valley communities dominating the rest of the country. A few families control state affairs. Several rebellions put down by military force: repressed aspects of history in a country so proud of it’s tradition of democracy.

9. 1648

   All European peace treaty formally accepts Switzerland as an independent nation.

   All European peace treaty formally accepts Switzerland as an independent nation.

10. 1798 – 1802

    Revolution in Switzerland.

    Revolution in Switzerland. Farmers in occupied territories become free citizens. Centralistic parliamentary republic according to French model. Occupation by French troops and some battles of Napoleon vs. Austria and Russia in Switzerland.