Box 1.3 Religious conflicts between Protestant and Catholic cantons from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century

1529: A military conflict between Protestant Zurich and the five Catholic cantons was prevented by the first Kappeler Landfriede which contained the promise of confessional tolerance.

1531: Battles between Catholic and Protestant troops from Zurich and Bern were won by the Catholics. The second Kappeler Landfriede was therefore in favour of the Catholics: Protestant confession was acknowledged but the Catholics conserved some prerogatives. This second Kappeler Landfriede regulated the balance until 1656.

1656: Zurich and Bern tried to improve their position against the Catholic cantons but lost the first battle of Villmergen, which confirmed Catholic dominance.

1712: The second battle of Villmergen was won by the Protestants. The victory eliminated Catholic hegemony in the old confederation and gave Protestant Zurich and Bern political influence appropriate to their economic power.