Switzerland's "Golden" Secret: How a Poor European Country Became a Paradise

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

In what era is it more difficult to maintain autonomy - when territorial and religious wars are raging, or when the world is under the influence of globalization? Switzerland manages to fight for the status of an independent country in any conditions and in any historical period, but what was the history of this struggle? How did one of the poorest European countries become a piece of paradise? How independent was Switzerland after all in its quest for independence?

How Switzerland became an independent country

The lands of Switzerland are located in such a way that they could not remain excluded from the most important historical processes in Europe. And the very history of the Alpine valleys begins with the sites of the Neanderthals 250 thousand years ago, much later the Homo sapiens appeared here. In ancient times, these lands played the role of a buffer zone between the Roman Empire and the tribes of northern Europe. At that time, the Celts, Helvetians, and Retians lived on the territory of modern Switzerland - a people who have family ties with the Etruscans. In the alpine valleys, they were engaged in agriculture and cattle breeding, in rivers and lakes they fished - but nevertheless, the obvious deficit of minerals, the lack of access to the sea affected - the territory was valued mainly for its advantageous location in the heart of Europe.

In 15 BC. the future Swiss territory was annexed to the Roman Empire, and after its disintegration it was ruled by the Germanic tribes - the Allemanns, who created many small kingdoms in Europe. The unification of the lands took place during the reign of Charlemagne, and soon the future territory of Switzerland was divided among several kings and emperors. Of course, there was no question of independence at that time. For the next three centuries, the country of alpine meadows was under the rule of the gaining strength of the Holy Roman Empire, power at times rather nominal, especially in the north, where local rulers had great influence, including The Habsburgs, one of the greatest royal dynasties in European history.

Trade gradually developed, new routes were laid for the transport of goods from one end of Europe to the other, through the Alps it was possible to get from the Mediterranean coast to the north and back. For both the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire and the Habsburgs, these alpine valleys meant too much, but the population sought to defend against their claims.

In 1291, a military treaty was signed between the three cantons, or lands - Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden. This union was proclaimed as a prisoner "for eternity." The cantons and settlements in them pledged to help each other with advice and deed, personally and with property, on their lands and outside them, against everyone and everyone who wants to hurt them all or someone alone. Interestingly, the treaty was secured not by the rulers, not by the kings - they simply were not in the cantons, but by those whom the inhabitants chose as their representatives. Perhaps this was the secret of its inviolability and durability. Be that as it may, and now the state motto of Switzerland remains the cry of the Musketeers of Dumas: "One for all, and all for one!".

Attempts to conquer Switzerland did not stop, but gradually its territory increased, the number of cantons grew. The inhabitants of these lands even then, as now, carried out any business conscientiously: they could defend their territory, this is proved by the numerous well-preserved fortresses and military structures.

Who Allowed Switzerland to Become an Independent State?

Over time, Switzerland gained more and more freedom from powerful neighbors, Bern's influence on the European economy increased. Since the 16th century, the country could already be considered independent, although the origins of such independence could be seen primarily in the agreement of the major powers to leave some autonomy to the heart of Europe - this suited everyone and made it possible to avoid tiresome conflicts.

In 1648, the independence of the country was officially confirmed by the Peace of Westphalia - between the Republic of the United Provinces, the Holy Roman Empire, Sweden, France, Spain and Switzerland itself. Since then, the state has embarked on a course of avoiding wars, and this, together with the lack of costs for the maintenance of the royal court, contributed to the release of a huge amount of resources. A tradition arose to provide hired soldiers to other countries, which at the same time gave the state additional financial revenues. In some areas, taxation was abolished, and production was developing with might and main. The Swiss mastered the manufacture of textiles, in particular silk and muslin, sophisticated mechanisms that would later glorify the masters all over the world.

But for a long time Switzerland was a poorly cohesive union, each of the cantons was under the influence of several wealthy families, which caused popular discontent and riots. After the French Revolution, the Swiss Revolution also took place, and its result was the creation of a centralized Helvetic Republic, although it did not find support from the population. Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte approved a new Constitution for Switzerland, restored federalism and cantonal self-government. Since 1815, Switzerland was proclaimed a neutral state autonomous from France.

The 19th century became for the state a period of settling internal conflicts, primarily religious confrontation between Catholics and Protestants.

The "golden" secret of independence

When now, in the 21st century, it comes to the reasons for the economic success of Switzerland, they start listing them with shortcomings, "by contradiction." Lack of mineral deposits, little opportunities for agriculture, no access to the sea, more than two-thirds of the territory is covered with mountains. Indeed, historically the Swiss were given very little, and therefore it was obvious to them: the most important and valuable thing that they can use is the people themselves.

In few places in Europe training in crafts was so developed, in few places such a system of training masters existed - through guilds, through the institute of apprenticeship. The Swiss have long learned to participate in the adoption of important political decisions for them, even now the most important issues of the state are brought up to a general vote. One of them, for example, officially prohibited the construction of new minarets in the country, and the few that had already been erected by the time of the referendum ceased to fulfill their function of calling to prayer: in this way, citizens ensured their right to silence.

It is believed that the source of the state's wealth was money unclaimed after World War II, which was left in banks by the Nazis and their victims. But this is more of a legend. We have to admit that the national budget of this country is many thousands of times higher than the most daring figures that could reflect the amount of "forgotten" deposits.

During the two world wars of the last century, Switzerland managed to maintain an independent position, although its declared neutrality was armed. The state designated its position on foreign policy rather harshly, and the Swiss knew how to fight perfectly. True, here it should be admitted that this state of affairs played into the hands of other, more influential, participants in the confrontation - otherwise it is unlikely that the army of this small country, no matter how well trained and motivated, could defend its sovereignty. that there have been no wars on the territory of Switzerland for several centuries, it managed to preserve not only the monuments of historical heritage, but also the infrastructure being created.

It can be assumed that the country will continue to maintain its status as rich - the Swiss, as before, work hard and efficiently, and therefore do not lose their reputation for its famous cheeses, watches, chocolate and knives.

She is still neutral - and still armed: all men between the ages of 19 and 31 are obliged to carry military service for a total of 260 days, which are spread over 10 years. True, everyone has the opportunity to replace their personal presence in the Swiss armed forces with monetary compensation - in the amount of 3% of the salary during the prescribed period of service.

And why do the Swiss consider Alexander Suvorov their national hero - here.