Source library

Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz (HLS) / Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse (DHS) / Dizionario storico della Svizzera (DSS) (2002–2014). 13 vols. and online edition. Basel: Schwabe; online hls-dhs-dss.ch.

Used forCotencher caveWildkirchliThe last glaciationKesslerlochChampréveyres and MonruzSchnidejochPile dwellingsPetit-Chasseur, SionNewcomers from the steppeThe Grächwil jarLa TèneThe Helvetii set outLepontic writingThe Raetians+104

Kreis, Georg (ed.) (2014). Die Geschichte der Schweiz. Basel: Schwabe.

Used forThe Burgundians in SapaudiaFrankish ruleHabsburg CastleThe Federal CharterEight placesSempach and NäfelsZwingli’s ZürichLeaving the EmpireThe Peasants’ WarThe Helvetic RepublicThe Act of MediationVienna, 22 cantons and neutralityThe Sonderbund WarThe federal state+7

Church, Clive H. & Head, Randolph C. (2013). A Concise History of Switzerland. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Used forThe Federal CharterThe Burgundian WarsMercenaries and MarignanoZwingli’s ZürichCalvin’s GenevaThe Villmergen warsThe Helvetic RepublicThe Sonderbund WarThe federal stateThe people decideWar, réduit and businessNo to the EEA

Maissen, Thomas (2010). Geschichte der Schweiz. Baden: hier + jetzt.

Used forTell and the RütliThe Federal CharterLeaving the EmpireThe Helvetic RepublicVienna, 22 cantons and neutralityThe federal stateRefugees turned awayFacing the war years

Walter, François (2009–2010). Histoire de la Suisse, 5 vols. Neuchâtel: Alphil.

Used forThe Burgundians in SapaudiaThe kingdom of BurgundyChillon and SavoyBern turns ReformedCalvin’s GenevaThe EscaladeVaud breaks freeThe Red CrossThe canton of Jura

Holenstein, André; Kury, Patrick & Schulz, Kristina (2018). Schweizer Migrationsgeschichte. Von den Anfängen bis zur Gegenwart. Baden: hier + jetzt.

Used forNewcomers from the steppeThe WalserRefugees for their faithLeaving and arrivingThe Gotthard tunnelWorkers from the southThe Schwarzenbach initiativeNine millionEqual rights for Jews

Holenstein, André (2014). Mitten in Europa. Verflechtung und Abgrenzung in der Schweizer Geschichte. Baden: hier + jetzt.

Used forMercenaries and MarignanoLeaving the EmpireVienna, 22 cantons and neutralityNo to the EEAJoining the United Nations

Tanner, Jakob (2015). Geschichte der Schweiz im 20. Jahrhundert. München: C. H. Beck.

Used forThe general strikeWar, réduit and businessRefugees turned awayOld-age pensionsWorkers from the southThe Schwarzenbach initiativeNo to the EEAFacing the war years

Steinberg, Jonathan (2015). Why Switzerland? 3rd ed. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Used forThe people decideA fourth national languageThe canton of JuraNo to the EEA

Zimmer, Oliver (2003). A Contested Nation: History, Memory and Nationalism in Switzerland, 1761–1891. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Used forTell and the RütliPile dwellingsEnlightenment and the AlpsThe Federal Charter

Zimmer, Oliver (1998). In search of natural identity: Alpine landscape and the reconstruction of the Swiss nation. Comparative Studies in Society and History 40 (4), 637–665.

Used forEnlightenment and the AlpsTell and the RütliWar, réduit and business

Kreis, Georg (2004). Mythos Rütli. Geschichte eines Erinnerungsortes. Zürich: Orell Füssli.

Used forTell and the RütliThe Federal CharterWar, réduit and business

Purtschert, Patricia & Fischer-Tiné, Harald (eds.) (2015). Colonial Switzerland: Rethinking Colonialism from the Margins. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Used forSwiss money in the Atlantic economyThe Basel MissionSwitzerland and Africa since 1945The responsible business initiative

Purtschert, Patricia; Lüthi, Barbara & Falk, Francesca (eds.) (2012). Postkoloniale Schweiz. Formen und Folgen eines Kolonialismus ohne Kolonien. Bielefeld: transcript.

Used forSwiss money in the Atlantic economySwitzerland and Africa since 1945The Basel Mission

Swiss Federal Chancellery (since 1848). Popular votes: chronology and results. Bern: Federal Chancellery (online).

Used forEqual rights for JewsThe people decideThe League of Nations in GenevaA fourth national languageOld-age pensionsThe Schwarzenbach initiativeVotes for womenThe canton of JuraEqual rights and two strikesNo to the EEAJoining the United NationsThe minaret banThe responsible business initiativeMarriage for all

Swiss National Museum (permanent exhibitions). History of Switzerland; Archaeology in Switzerland. Zürich: Landesmuseum.

Used forLa TèneThe Federal CharterThe Burgundian WarsThe Swiss Guards in ParisFranc, railways and banks

Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Ur- und Frühgeschichte (ed.) (1993–2005). Die Schweiz vom Paläolithikum bis zum frühen Mittelalter / La Suisse du Paléolithique à l’aube du Moyen-Âge (SPM), 6 vols. Basel: SGUF.

Used forCotencher caveWildkirchliThe last glaciationKesslerlochChampréveyres and MonruzPile dwellingsPetit-Chasseur, SionThe Grächwil jarLa TèneLepontic writingAugusta RauricaVindonissaAventicumForum Claudii Vallensium+4

Deák, Julia et al. (2019). New data from the Middle Palaeolithic Cotencher cave (Swiss Jura): site formation, environment, and chronology. E&G Quaternary Science Journal 67, 41–72.

Used forCotencher cave

Merk, Konrad (1876). Excavations at the Kesslerloch near Thayngen, Switzerland: a cave of the reindeer period. London; English translation by John Edward Lee of the report of 1875.

Used forKesslerloch

Hafner, Albert (2012). Archaeological discoveries on Schnidejoch and at other ice sites in the European Alps. Arctic 65 (Suppl. 1), 189–202.

Used forSchnidejoch

Furtwängler, Anja et al. (2020). Ancient genomes reveal social and genetic structure of Late Neolithic Switzerland. Nature Communications 11, 1915.

Used forNewcomers from the steppePetit-Chasseur, Sion

UNESCO World Heritage Centre (2011). Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps (no. 1363). Paris: UNESCO.

Used forPile dwellings

Kaeser, Marc-Antoine (2004). Les Lacustres. Archéologie et mythe national. Lausanne: Presses polytechniques et universitaires romandes.

Used forPile dwellings

Laténium, parc et musée d’archéologie de Neuchâtel (collection). Finds from Hauterive-Champréveyres, Monruz and La Tène. Hauterive NE.

Used forChampréveyres and MonruzLa Tène

Caesar, Gaius Iulius (c. 58–50 BCE). De bello Gallico, book I. Latin text and many translations.

Used forThe Helvetii set out

Kaenel, Gilbert (2012). L’an -58. Les Helvètes. Archéologie d’un peuple celte. Lausanne: Presses polytechniques et universitaires romandes.

Used forThe Helvetii set outLa Tène

Bernisches Historisches Museum (collection). The Hydria of Grächwil; Burgundian booty. Bern.

Used forThe Grächwil jarThe Burgundian Wars

Augusta Raurica (site and museum). Roman town, Castrum Rauracense and the silver treasure of Kaiseraugst. Augst BL / Kaiseraugst AG.

Used forAugusta RauricaThe Rhine frontier

Site et Musée romains d’Avenches (site and museum). Aventicum, capital of the Helvetii. Avenches VD.

Used forAventicum

Thesaurus Inscriptionum Raeticarum (online). Corpus of Raetic inscriptions. University of Vienna.

Used forThe Raetians

Eucherius of Lyon (c. 430–450). Passio Acaunensium martyrum. Latin text.

Used forAgaunum and the first bishopsAbbey of Saint-Maurice

Favrod, Justin (1997). Histoire politique du royaume burgonde (443–534). Lausanne: Bibliothèque historique vaudoise.

Used forThe Burgundians in SapaudiaFrankish ruleAbbey of Saint-Maurice

Kaiser, Reinhold (1998). Churrätien im frühen Mittelalter. Ende 5. bis Mitte 10. Jahrhundert. Basel: Schwabe.

Used forChur and RaetiaMüstair

Stiftsbibliothek St. Gallen (c. 820–830). Plan of St Gall, Cod. Sang. 1092. digitised on e-codices.

Used forSt. Gallen

UNESCO World Heritage Centre (1983). Abbey of St Gall (no. 268). Paris: UNESCO.

Used forSt. GallenWiborada

UNESCO World Heritage Centre (1983). Benedictine Convent of St John at Müstair (no. 269). Paris: UNESCO.

Used forMüstair

Liudprand of Cremona (c. 958–962). Antapodosis. Latin text.

Used forRaiders on the passes

Lüdi, Georges & Werlen, Iwar (2005). Sprachenlandschaft in der Schweiz (Eidgenössische Volkszählung 2000). Neuchâtel: Federal Statistical Office.

Used forThe language borderAlemannic settlersA fourth national language

Niederhäuser, Peter (ed.) (2010). Die Habsburger zwischen Aare und Bodensee. Zürich: Chronos.

Used forHabsburg CastleThe conquest of the AargauSempach and NäfelsMorgarten

Schadek, Hans & Schmid, Karl (eds.) (1986). Die Zähringer. Anstoss und Wirkung. Sigmaringen: Thorbecke.

Used forTowns of the Zähringen

Zinsli, Paul (1968). Walser Volkstum in der Schweiz, in Vorarlberg, Liechtenstein und Piemont. Frauenfeld: Huber.

Used forThe Walser

Sablonier, Roger (2008). Gründungszeit ohne Eidgenossen. Politik und Gesellschaft in der Innerschweiz um 1300. Baden: hier + jetzt.

Used forThe Gotthard opensCharters for Uri and SchwyzThe Federal CharterMorgartenTell and the Rütli

Bundesbrief (Federal Charter) (1291). Latin charter of Uri, Schwyz and Nidwalden. Schwyz: Bundesbriefmuseum / Staatsarchiv Schwyz.

Used forThe Federal Charter

Weisses Buch von Sarnen (c. 1470). Chronicle in the register of Obwalden. Sarnen: Staatsarchiv Obwalden.

Used forTell and the Rütli

Schiller, Friedrich (1804). Wilhelm Tell. Schauspiel. Tübingen: Cotta.

Used forTell and the Rütli

Peyer, Hans Conrad (1978). Verfassungsgeschichte der alten Schweiz. Zürich: Schulthess.

Used forEight placesThirteen placesThe Stans agreementThe Three LeaguesThe conquest of the AargauThe Swabian War

Würgler, Andreas (2013). Die Tagsatzung der Eidgenossen. Politik, Kommunikation und Symbolik einer repräsentativen Institution im europäischen Kontext (1470–1798). Epfendorf: bibliotheca academica.

Used forThe Stans agreementThirteen placesLeaving the Empire

Sieber-Lehmann, Claudius (1995). Spätmittelalterlicher Nationalismus. Die Burgunderkriege am Oberrhein und in der Eidgenossenschaft. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.

Used forThe Burgundian WarsThe Swabian War

Furrer, Norbert; Hubler, Lucienne; Stubenvoll, Marianne & Tosato-Rigo, Danièle (eds.) (1997). Gente ferocissima. Solddienst und Gesellschaft in der Schweiz (15.–19. Jahrhundert). Zürich: Chronos; Lausanne: Éditions d’en bas.

Used forMercenaries and MarignanoThe Swiss Guards in Paris

Head, Randolph C. (1995). Early Modern Democracy in the Grisons: Social Order and Political Language in a Swiss Mountain Canton, 1470–1620. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Used forThe Three Leagues

Graus, František (1987). Pest – Geissler – Judenmorde. Das 14. Jahrhundert als Krisenzeit. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht.

Used forThe murders of 1348–1349

Gordon, Bruce (2002). The Swiss Reformation. Manchester: Manchester University Press.

Used forZwingli’s ZürichThe AnabaptistsBern turns ReformedCalvin’s GenevaThe Catholic answerThe Villmergen warsPrinted in Basel

Gordon, Bruce (2009). Calvin. New Haven: Yale University Press.

Used forCalvin’s Geneva

Snyder, C. Arnold (1995). Anabaptist History and Theology: An Introduction. Kitchener: Pandora Press.

Used forThe Anabaptists

Brüderliche Vereinigung (Schleitheim Articles) (1527). Confession of the Swiss Brethren, Schleitheim. printed 1527 and in many editions.

Used forThe Anabaptists

Erasmus, Desiderius (1516). Novum Instrumentum omne. Basel: Johann Froben.

Used forPrinted in Basel

Vesalius, Andreas (1543). De humani corporis fabrica libri septem. Basel: Johannes Oporinus.

Used forPrinted in Basel

Suter, Andreas (1997). Der schweizerische Bauernkrieg von 1653. Politische Sozialgeschichte – Sozialgeschichte eines politischen Ereignisses. Tübingen: bibliotheca academica.

Used forThe Peasants’ War

Hauser, Walter (2007). Der Justizmord an Anna Göldi. Neue Recherchen zum letzten Hexenprozess in Europa. Zürich: Limmat.

Used forAnna Göldi

David, Thomas; Etemad, Bouda & Schaufelbuehl, Janick Marina (2005). La Suisse et l’esclavage des Noirs. Lausanne: Antipodes.

Used forSwiss money in the Atlantic economy

Fässler, Hans (2005). Reise in Schwarz-Weiss. Schweizer Ortstermine in Sachen Sklaverei. Zürich: Rotpunktverlag.

Used forSwiss money in the Atlantic economy

Haller, Albrecht von (1732). Versuch Schweizerischer Gedichten (with “Die Alpen”). Bern.

Used forEnlightenment and the Alps

Rousseau, Jean-Jacques (1762). Du contrat social. Amsterdam: Marc-Michel Rey.

Used forEnlightenment and the Alps

Im Hof, Ulrich & de Capitani, François (1983). Die Helvetische Gesellschaft. Spätaufklärung und Vorrevolution in der Schweiz, 2 vols. Frauenfeld: Huber.

Used forEnlightenment and the Alps

Böning, Holger (1998). Der Traum von Freiheit und Gleichheit. Helvetische Revolution und Republik (1798–1803). Zürich: Orell Füssli.

Used forVaud breaks freeThe Helvetic RepublicNidwalden, September 1798The Act of Mediation

Lerner, Marc H. (2012). A Laboratory of Liberty: The Transformation of Political Culture in Republican Switzerland, 1750–1848. Leiden: Brill.

Used forThe Helvetic RepublicUster and the liberal cantonsThe federal state

Kölz, Alfred (1992). Neuere schweizerische Verfassungsgeschichte. Ihre Grundlinien vom Ende der Alten Eidgenossenschaft bis 1848. Bern: Stämpfli.

Used forThe Helvetic RepublicThe Act of MediationVienna, 22 cantons and neutralityUster and the liberal cantonsBasel dividesThe federal state

Remak, Joachim (1993). A Very Civil War: The Swiss Sonderbund War of 1847. Boulder: Westview Press.

Used forThe Sonderbund War

Meyer, Benedikt (2019). Der Sonderbundskrieg von 1847. Blog of the Swiss National Museum.

Used forThe Sonderbund War

Krämer, Daniel (2015). «Menschen grasten nun mit dem Vieh». Die letzte grosse Hungerkrise der Schweiz 1816/17. Basel: Schwabe.

Used forThe year without a summer

Bundesverfassung der Schweizerischen Eidgenossenschaft (1848). Federal Constitution of 12 September 1848. Bern.

Used forThe federal stateThe first Swiss railwayThe Linth canal

Mission 21 (archive). Archives of the Basel Mission. Basel.

Used forThe Basel Mission

Jung, Joseph (2006). Alfred Escher 1819–1882. Der Aufbruch zur modernen Schweiz. Zürich: NZZ Libro.

Used forFranc, railways and banksThe Gotthard tunnelThe first Swiss railwayThe end of Credit Suisse

Dunant, Henry (1862). Un souvenir de Solférino. Genève: Imprimerie Jules-Guillaume Fick.

Used forThe Red Cross

Picard, Jacques (1994). Die Schweiz und die Juden 1933–1945. Schweizerischer Antisemitismus, jüdische Abwehr und internationale Migrations- und Flüchtlingspolitik. Zürich: Chronos.

Used forRefugees turned awayEqual rights for Jews

Rossfeld, Roman; Koller, Christian & Studer, Brigitte (eds.) (2018). Der Landesstreik. Die Schweiz im November 1918. Baden: hier + jetzt.

Used forThe general strike

Independent Commission of Experts Switzerland – Second World War (ICE/UEK) (2002). Switzerland, National Socialism and the Second World War. Final Report. Zürich: Pendo.

Used forRefugees turned awayWar, réduit and businessFacing the war years

Ludwig, Carl (1957). Die Flüchtlingspolitik der Schweiz seit 1933 bis zur Gegenwart. Bericht an den Bundesrat. Bern.

Used forRefugees turned away

Keller, Stefan (1993). Grüningers Fall. Geschichten von Flucht und Hilfe. Zürich: Rotpunktverlag.

Used forRefugees turned away

Wylie, Neville (2003). Britain, Switzerland, and the Second World War. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Used forWar, réduit and businessRefugees turned away

Leimgruber, Walter; Meier, Thomas & Sablonier, Roger (1998). Das Hilfswerk für die Kinder der Landstrasse. Historische Studie. Bern: Schweizerisches Bundesarchiv (Bundesarchiv Dossier 9).

Used for“Children of the Road”

Galle, Sara (2016). Kindswegnahmen. Das «Hilfswerk für die Kinder der Landstrasse» der Pro Juventute im Kontext der schweizerischen Jugendfürsorge. Zürich: Chronos.

Used for“Children of the Road”

Unabhängige Expertenkommission Administrative Versorgungen (UEK) (2019). Organisierte Willkür. Administrative Versorgungen in der Schweiz 1930–1981. Schlussbericht. Zürich: Chronos; Neuchâtel: Alphil; Bellinzona: Casagrande.

Used forContract children and forced placements

Leuenberger, Marco & Seglias, Loretta (eds.) (2008). Versorgt und vergessen. Ehemalige Verdingkinder erzählen. Zürich: Rotpunktverlag.

Used forContract children and forced placements

Ball, Hugo (1927). Die Flucht aus der Zeit. München: Duncker & Humblot.

Used forDada in Zürich

Liver, Ricarda (2010). Rätoromanisch. Eine Einführung in das Bündnerromanische. 2nd ed. Tübingen: Narr.

Used forA fourth national languageChur and Raetia

Mesmer, Beatrix (1988). Ausgeklammert – Eingeklammert. Frauen und Frauenorganisationen in der Schweiz des 19. Jahrhunderts. Basel: Helbing & Lichtenhahn.

Used forWomen at universityVotes for women

Kury, Patrick (2003). Über Fremde reden. Überfremdungsdiskurs und Ausgrenzung in der Schweiz 1900–1945. Zürich: Chronos.

Used forThe Schwarzenbach initiativeLeaving and arrivingThe Gotthard tunnel

Voegeli, Yvonne (1997). Zwischen Hausrat und Rathaus. Auseinandersetzungen um die politische Gleichberechtigung der Frauen in der Schweiz 1945–1971. Zürich: Chronos.

Used forVotes for women

Banaszak, Lee Ann (1996). Why Movements Succeed or Fail: Opportunity, Culture, and the Struggle for Woman Suffrage. Princeton: Princeton University Press.

Used forVotes for women

Buomberger, Thomas (2004). Kampf gegen unerwünschte Fremde. Von James Schwarzenbach bis Christoph Blocher. Zürich: Orell Füssli.

Used forThe Schwarzenbach initiativeWorkers from the south

Piguet, Etienne (2017). L’immigration en Suisse. Soixante ans d’entrouverture. 4th ed. Lausanne: Presses polytechniques et universitaires romandes.

Used forWorkers from the southNine millionMattmark

Leimgruber, Matthieu (2008). Solidarity without the State? Business and the Shaping of the Swiss Welfare State, 1890–2000. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Used forOld-age pensions

Linder, Wolf & Mueller, Sean (2021). Swiss Democracy: Possible Solutions to Conflict in Multicultural Societies. 4th ed. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan.

Used forThe canton of JuraNo to the EEAThe people decideThe minaret banThe responsible business initiative

Kriesi, Hanspeter & Trechsel, Alexander H. (2008). The Politics of Switzerland: Continuity and Change in a Consensus Democracy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Used forNo to the EEAJoining the United Nations

Federal Statistical Office (FSO) (2025). Resident population of Switzerland exceeds 9 million in 2024 (press release, 3 April 2025). Neuchâtel: FSO.

Used forNine million

European Court of Human Rights (Grand Chamber) (2024). Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland, application no. 53600/20, judgment of 9 April 2024. Strasbourg: ECHR.

Used forThe climate seniors

Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA) (2023). Lessons Learned from the CS Crisis. Bern: FINMA.

Used forThe end of Credit Suisse

Gosteli Foundation (archive). Archive on the history of the Swiss women’s movement. Worblaufen BE.

Used forVotes for womenEqual rights and two strikes

Swiss Federation of Jewish Communities (SIG) (online). History of the Jews in Switzerland. Zürich: SIG.

Used forJewish communities in the townsEqual rights for Jews

Radgenossenschaft der Landstrasse (since 1975). Umbrella organisation of the Yenish and Sinti in Switzerland. Zürich.

Used for“Children of the Road”

Swiss Federal Chancellery (2026). The Swiss Confederation – a brief guide. Bern: Federal Chancellery.