Growth of the Confederacy (1315-1513) – Swiss Citizenship Test
After the founding alliance of 1291, the Swiss Confederacy faced immediate military challenges from the Habsburg dynasty. Through a series of remarkable military victories despite being outnumbered, t…
After the founding alliance of 1291, the Swiss Confederacy faced immediate military challenges from the Habsburg dynasty. Through a series of remarkable military victories despite being outnumbered, the Confederacy not only defended its independence but also attracted new cantons to join the alliance. By 1353, eight cantons formed the core of what historians call the 'Eight Old Cantons' (Acht Alte Orte).
The Battle of Morgarten (1315)
The Battle of Morgarten was the first major military victory for the Swiss Confederacy. On November 15, 1315, a large Habsburg army led by Duke Leopold I marched toward the forest cantons to punish them for their independence. The Swiss forces, vastly outnumbered, used their knowledge of the Alpine terrain to their advantage. As the Habsburg army passed through a narrow path along Lake Ägeri, Swiss fighters rolled logs and rocks down the mountainside and attacked from above. The Habsburg knights, in heavy armor and confined to the narrow pass, were unable to defend themselves effectively. The Swiss won a decisive victory, killing or capturing thousands of enemy soldiers.
The Pact of Brunnen (1315)
Just three weeks after Morgarten, on December 9, 1315, the three original cantons renewed their alliance with the Pact of Brunnen (Bundesbrief von Brunnen). This charter reaffirmed and strengthened the 1291 alliance, explicitly stating that no canton would accept a foreign judge or lord without the consent of the others. It also established that the cantons would support each other militarily if attacked. This pact demonstrated that Morgarten had united the cantons even more firmly in their determination to remain independent.
The Eight Old Cantons (1353)
The military success and economic cooperation of the original three cantons attracted neighboring regions to join the alliance. Between 1332 and 1353, five more cantons joined: Lucerne (1332), Zürich (1351), Glarus (1352), Zug (1352), and Bern (1353). These eight cantons—Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden (Obwalden and Nidwalden), Lucerne, Zürich, Glarus, Zug, and Bern—became known as the 'Eight Old Cantons' (Acht Alte Orte). Each canton brought strategic advantages: Lucerne controlled important trade routes, Zürich was a wealthy commercial city, and Bern was a powerful city-state. The alliance was growing from a defensive pact of mountain farmers into a significant regional power.
The Battle of Sempach (1386)
Another critical Habsburg defeat came at the Battle of Sempach on July 9, 1386. Duke Leopold III of Austria (grandson of the duke defeated at Morgarten) led a large army against the Confederacy. The Swiss infantry faced Habsburg knights in heavy armor. According to legend, a Swiss fighter named Arnold von Winkelried sacrificed himself by grabbing as many enemy spears as he could, creating a gap in the Habsburg line that allowed the Swiss to break through. The Confederacy won decisively, and Duke Leopold III was killed in battle. This victory further secured Swiss independence and demonstrated that disciplined infantry could defeat armored cavalry.
The Battle of Näfels (1388)
Just two years after Sempach, the Habsburgs attempted revenge at the Battle of Näfels on April 9, 1388. An Austrian army invaded the canton of Glarus. Despite being heavily outnumbered (about 600 Swiss against 6'000 Austrians), the defenders of Glarus used the mountainous terrain to their advantage, ambushing the Austrian forces in narrow Alpine passes. The Swiss won another stunning victory. The Battle of Näfels is still commemorated annually in Glarus canton with a public holiday called Näfelser Fahrt, where citizens walk the historic route to remember their ancestors' bravery.
Swiss Military Tactics and Reputation
The Swiss victories at Morgarten, Sempach, and Näfels established tactics that would make Swiss soldiers famous throughout Europe. Swiss infantry fought in tight formations using long pikes (halberds) and were known for their discipline and courage. They preferred fighting on foot rather than on horseback, which was unusual for the time. Their willingness to fight to the death and their effective use of terrain made them feared opponents. By the 15th century, Swiss mercenaries were sought after by kings and princes across Europe. This military reputation helped the Confederacy maintain its independence and deterred larger powers from attacking.
Expansion to Thirteen Cantons (1481-1513)
The Confederacy continued to grow through the 15th and early 16th centuries. Fribourg and Solothurn joined in 1481, Basel and Schaffhausen in 1501, and Appenzell in 1513. By 1513, the Swiss Confederacy consisted of thirteen cantons, known as the 'Thirteen Old Cantons' (Dreizehn Alte Orte). These thirteen cantons included a diverse mix: mountain farming communities (like Uri and Schwyz), wealthy trading cities (like Zürich and Basel), and powerful city-states (like Bern). Despite their differences, they were united by their commitment to independence and mutual defense.
The halberd, a combination of a spear and an axe on a long wooden pole, became the signature Swiss weapon during this era. Swiss halberdiers in formation could stop cavalry charges and break through enemy lines. Today, the Swiss Guard at the Vatican still carries ceremonial halberds, maintaining a 500-year-old tradition of Swiss military service. The colorful Renaissance uniforms and halberds of the Vatican Swiss Guard are one of the most visible symbols of Switzerland's historic military reputation.
Why Did Other Cantons Join?
Cantons joined the Swiss Confederacy for several practical reasons. First, membership provided military protection—smaller regions knew that attacking one canton meant fighting all of them. Second, the alliance facilitated trade by reducing conflicts and establishing common routes. Third, joining offered a way to resist domination by larger powers like the Habsburgs, France, or the Holy Roman Empire. Finally, the Confederacy's structure allowed each canton to maintain its own laws and customs while benefiting from collective strength. This balance between local autonomy and mutual cooperation became a defining characteristic of Swiss federalism.
Remember the three key battles: Morgarten (1315) - first major victory using terrain; Sempach (1386) - Arnold von Winkelried's sacrifice; Näfels (1388) - 600 vs 6'000. Eight Old Cantons by 1353: original three (Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden) + Lucerne, Zürich, Glarus, Zug, Bern. Thirteen Old Cantons by 1513: added Fribourg, Solothurn, Basel, Schaffhausen, Appenzell. Swiss weapon: halberd. Key dates: 1315, 1353, 1513.