Swisstory Trivia Quiz

Answer: 1191

Bern was originally founded in 1191 by Berthold V, the Duke of Zähringen. It became the capital when Switzerland acquired a permanent national capital. Bern is the fourth most populous city in Switzerland, though it was a bit larger in comparison to Zurich back then. Zurich is now the most populous city of Switzerland.

Answer: Swiss Guard

The Schweizergarde, or the Swiss Guard, are bodyguards that were first employed by Pope Julius II in 1506. The Swiss Guard at that time became the primary protection for the Pope, and for hundreds of years, they continued to guard the Pope.

Answer: Huldrych Zwingli

The Reformation in Switzerland was originally led by the priest of the Great Minister church of Zurich in 1523. The man was named Huldrych Zwingli (aka Ulrich Zwingli), and he had been the priest of the church since 1518. The Reformation lasted until the middle of the 17th century).

Answer: Toggenburg War

The first Battle of Villmergen took place in 1656. The second, known as the Toggenburg War, took place in 1712. Collectively, however, they are known as the Battles of Villmergen. The battles were between Reformed and Catholic cantons of Switzerland.

Answer: Council of Europe

In 1963, Switzerland joined the Council of Europe, which is an organization dedicated to cooperation between all European nations in many matters, including law, human rights, and culture.

Switzerland was not ratified as a member of the United Nations until 2002, and it is not part of the European Union. The European Council is a branch of the European Union, and therefore, Switzerland is not a part of that, either.

Answer: Italian Wars

The Italian Wars were fought between France and the Old Swiss Confederacy and took place from 1494-1559. The Battle of Marignano occurred in 1515, and resulted in a victory for France, and a loss for Switzerland.

Answer: Treaty of Westphalia

The Treaty of Westphalia, also known as the Peace of Westphalia, was a series of treaties, signed in 1648. The treaty stated that those who signed it would recognize the Treaty of Augsburg (1555). Both Switzerland and the Netherlands gained full independence from the Holy Roman Empire because of the Peace of Westphalia.

Answer: Helvetic Republic

Switzerland was overrun by the French in 1798. They renamed Switzerland the "Helvetic Republic", named after the Helvetian people. In 1803, however, Napoleon Bonaparte created the "Act of Mediation". This got rid of the central French power of Switzerland, making it a confederation once again.

Answer: Congress of Vienna

The Congress of Vienna was held from September of 1814 to June of 1815. The Congress discussed several issues, one of which being the issue of Switzerland's independence. It was eventually decided that Switzerland would be given full independence and would also be permanently recognized as a neutral country.

Answer: 1291

Switzerland was originally founded in 1291. In 1499, the Swiss won a war against the Swabian League, which gave them a bit more independence in the Holy Roman Empire. It wasn't until 1648 that Switzerland gained independence from the Holy Roman Empire.

In 1798, Switzerland lost their independence, but regained it in 1815 under the Congress of Vienna. It finally became a federal state in 1848. It was in that same year that Bern became the capital city.