Question 235 of 350 · Federal state and industrialisation
How was the Confederation redefined in the Federal Constitution of 1848?
Wie wurde die Eidgenossenschaft in der Bundesverfassung von 1848 neu definiert?
Correct answer: B
Why
The Constitution of 1848 created a common federation but left the cantons a lot of their own power. That is a federalist federal state.
Common mistakes
- C: as a centralised state
- A centralised state existed only briefly, from 1798 to 1803; it was very unpopular.
- D: as a parliamentary monarchy
- Switzerland has no king; it is a republic.
Topic
Sonderbund War and the federal state of 1848
At the beginning of the 19th century, Switzerland was a loose alliance of cantons. There was a dispute between two groups. The Liberals, mainly in Reformed cantons, wanted a stronger common state. The Catholic-conservative cantons wanted to keep their independence. In 1845 they formed their own alliance: the Sonderbund (separate alliance). It included seven cantons, for example Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz and Fribourg.
History of Switzerland · Federal state and industrialisation
Sources
Official question of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.