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Switzerland History
Switzerland is a small country (41,285 km² = 15,940 square miles), but densely populated (7 million inhabitants, 170 per km² = 440 per sq.mi.), situated in the heart of western Europe. It shares much of its history and of its culture with its neighbours Germany, Austria, Italy and France. About 600,000 years ago, temperatures sank and Europe was covered by glaciers almost completely. In Lucerne, Central Switzerland, the thickness of the ice reached as much as about 1 km (3000 ft). Until about 30,000 years ago, several cold and warm periods followed, animals and men came to Europe and had to leave again. Celtic tribes colonized Europe from the east. Around 500 B.C. they had reached Switzerland and eastern France. For centuries , young Swiss men, especially from Central Switzerland fought in mercenary troops for French kings and Italian dUKes. During the French Revolution a detachment of 800 Swiss mercenaries tried to defend the king against the radical Montagnards assaulting the Tuileries castle in 1792. All mercenaries were killed. The Lion Monument in Lucerne reminds of the infamous end of the once formidable Swiss military force. Lion Monument (Löwendenkmal) , Lucerne. Inspired by the French Revolution, liberal people in western Switzerland , revolted against the undemocratic reign of the old members of the Swiss Confederacy over other parts of the country and called for French support in 1798. Napoleon Bonaparte's troops occupied Switzerland and a central government was introduced. But soon (1803) he was obliged to reestablish some federal elements. After Napoleon was defeated in Russia and at Waterloo, Switzerland returned to extremely federal structures in 1815. Switzerland during the World Wars: Since the 1815 Vienna conference on international affairs after Napoleons defeat, Switzerland is obliged to be neutral in any conflicts between other nations. During World War I (1914-1918), it was relatively clear, what this obligation meant. In World War II (1939-1945), Switzerland was surrounded by troops of or loyal to the German Nazi regime disregarding any international rules. From today's point of view, it seems that Switzerland could and should have done more in favor of Jewish refugees.
Society has changed following the 1968 student's protest movement in Europe. Religious and moral traditions have become less important to people; on the other hand, problems are discussed more frankly. The Swiss "Stop Aids" - campaign, cooperation between a self-help association and the federal office for health, is an excellent example of this new spirit.
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