Metternich and Civil War in Switzerland

• Authors: Barbora Pásztorová
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

The purpose of this study is analysis of Austrian Chancellor Metternich’s approach towards the civil war in Switzerland, which ensued in 1847 between the Catholic and Protestant cantons, and evaluation of the consequences of Metternich’s diplomatic defeat, for him personally and also for Austria and its relationship with the German Confederation. Eruption of the conflict itself, its progress and its consequences will be discussed. Metternich considered the dispute in Switzerland to be an issue for Austria, because he believed that the radical (Protestant) cantons’ efforts to create a unified federal state could act as an impulse for the increased involvement of German nationalists who would finally trigger a revolution in Germany. He made all possible effort to prevent this development, however, his intention this time was not just to use diplomatic means, but also armed intervention by Austria and France and he also considered using military assistance from the states of the German Confederation. But his efforts failed, the Sonderbund, a military defensive alliance of the seven Catholic conservative cantons created for the purpose of protecting the sovereignty of the cantons, was defeated in the civil war and a new federal constitution was adopted in Switzerland. The Prince’s fears were realised when the victory of the Swiss radicals became one of the impulses for a revolution in Germany and Italy in 1848.

Keywords

EN

Civil War; Switzerland; Metternich; 19th Century; Sonderbund; Swiss Confederation; German Confederation

Discipline

• HISTORY: HISTORY

• Publisher: University of West Bohemia, Pilsen, Czech Republic
• Journal: West Bohemian Historical Review
• Year: 2018
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 19-45

Contributors

author

Barbora Pásztorová

• Department of Historical Sciences, Faculty of Arts, University of West Bohemia in Pilsen, Sedláčkova 31, 301 00 Pilsen, Czech Republic