A Very Civil War: The Swiss Sonderbund War Of 1847

The Sonderbund War, which took place in Switzerland in 1847, is the subject of Michael Remak's book A Very Civil War. The war, which was fought over issues similar to those of the American Civil War, was remarkable for its comparative civility, with fewer than one hundred casualties. Despite the potential for destruction, the war contributed to a sense of cohesion and established a firm foundation for modern Swiss society. The book highlights the similarities and contrasts between the Swiss Civil War and the American Civil War, emphasizing the differences in the level of violence and the outcomes.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

A Very Civil War is the first complete account of the important but much neglected story of Switzerlands civil war of 1847. Fought over issues similar to those of the American Civil War,the comparative civility of the Swiss war there were fewer than one hundred casualties is remarkable. Indeed,a war that might have destroyed Swiss union instead contributed to a sense of cohesion and established a firm foundation for modern Swiss society.

The dramatic but little-known story of Switzerlands civil war of 1847,the Sonderbundskrieg. This conflict,as much as any other single event,inspired the revolutionaries of 1848 to action. As the German poet Ferdinand Freiligrath wrote at the time: In the highlands was the first shot fired./What now,we still are waiting./But I know that there will be/A new burst of liberty.

Remaks is the first complete account of an important but much neglected turning point in Swiss and in European history. What will be most striking to American readers of Remaks lucid account are the similarities to and the contrasts with our own Civil War. Each war was crucial to its nations subsequent history,and both in essence were fought over the same issues federal power versus states rights,the preservation of the Union,and the defense of certain ways of life.

Yet Switzerlands was a war that,unlike its American counterpart,was fought with a minimum of violence. The war that might have destroyed Swiss union instead contributed to a sense of cohesion and established a firm foundation for modern Swiss society.The Swiss Civil War settled the great issues of nationhood at a cost of fewer than a hundred dead and lasted less than three weeks. There was no implacable Swiss Sherman,bent on the utter destruction of the enemy. Instead,General .

Weight: 453g
ISBN-13: 9780367004736