Political History
Before Switzerland became the independent nation that it is today, its borders were within multiple different empires, including the Holy Roman Empire, Charlemagne's Empire, and the Germanic Empire. For centuries the Swiss people struggled for independence. Before 1291 C. E. these three empires controlled the land that is now Switzerland. Because written records are sparse, and the borders of these empires were known to change frequently due to constant battles, it is hard to say which empire ruled over present day Switzerland when. In 1291 C. E., these empires were beginning to fall, constant battles over land disputes continued, making the empires weaker. It is known that the last empire to own Swiss land was the Germanic Empire. Finally as Cantons began to break away from the then Germanic Empire in 1291 C. E., and live independently. The remaining empires died away completely as all the fighting and battling had worn away their armies and their peoples began to flee, as shown with Swiss Cantons beginning to develop. It was not until 1648 C. E. that Switzerland was declared an independent nation, and finally in 1815 C. E. have its final borders and current number of twenty-six Cantons. Throughout Switzerland’s independence it was always a democratic state. However it was not until the unity of Northern Switzerland and Southern Switzerland, after peace had been made over religious disputes, specifically disputes between Roman Catholics and Protestants, that the country was considered a complete democracy.