Modern Switzerland
The inauguration of Switzerland's first central government in 1798 was an important milestone on the road to the Confederation of today. Founded in that year as the Central Archives of the Helvetic Republic, the Swiss Federal Archives contain an abundance of sources on the history of modern Switzerland.
Switzerland is a Confederation. The revolutions of the 18th century in Europe created the political framework for the country's long-term development: from the years prior to 1798 to the creation of the modern Confederation in 1848 and the current political system.
The documents of Switzerland's first central government were held at the “Central Archives of the Helvetic Republic”. The Central Archives founded in Bern during the years 1798-1799 have survived every change in politics and administration to become the current Swiss Federal Archives.
Today, they hold historical and contemporary sources that document the creation of the Swiss political system. The development of relations between citizens and the state, its authorities and administration plays a major role in this context.
Era of change: Switzerland between 1798 and 1848
Modern Switzerland has its roots in the 18th century. The period up to 1848 is characterised by phases of continuity, but also of interruption. Sources held by the Swiss Federal Archives document historical topics from the fields of politics, law, the military, administration, foreign policy, socio-economics and sociology.
The Swiss state and its citizens after 1848
The Federal Constitution adopted by the 22 cantons came into force on 14 September 1848. It was the hour of the birth of the Confederation. It brought an end to the conflicts between liberal and catholic-conservative cantons.
The Confederation's new authorities
The promulgation of the Federal Constitution of 1848 necessitated the establishment of new federal authorities for the entire Confederation: this concerned legislative (Federal Assembly), executive (Federal Council) and judiciary (Federal Court) authorities. Lastly, a Federal Administration was required for all of these authorities to be able to function; an administration responsible in particular for preparing and implementing federal legislation.
Swiss Federal Archives
Archivstrasse 24
CH - 3003 Bern