The Swiss cantons were once fully sovereign states with their own armies and currencies
Before the 1848 federal state, the Swiss Confederacy was a collection of independent powers. These entities controlled their own borders, minted unique coins, and maintained private militaries. Discover how a group of 'forest settlements' evolved into a modern federation while retaining deep-seated local autonomy.
The origins of the Swiss cantons lie in the Waldstätte, or 'forest settlements,' which formed the nucleus of the early Confederacy. Between 1513 and 1798, the 'Thirteen Cantons' operated as a collection of sovereign states. This independence was solidified after the defeat of Emperor Maximilian I in 1499 at Dornach. Until the establishment of the federal state in 1848, each canton functioned as a distinct political actor, managing its own currency, army, and border controls.
The political landscape was historically divided between rural states (Länder) like Uri and Schwyz, and urban states (Städte) like Zürich and Bern. While the rural members often practiced direct democracy through the Landsgemeinde, the urban centers were frequently governed by oligarchic city councils. This structure was briefly interrupted by the French invasion in 1798, which established the centralized Helvetic Republic, stripping the cantons of their sovereignty until the Act of Mediation in 1803 restored them.
Today, the 26 cantons retain significant power, managing healthcare, education, and taxation. While they no longer maintain independent international relations or standing armies—functions now reserved for the Confederation—they remain highly autonomous. This is even reflected in the 1999 constitution, which maintains a distinction for 'cantons with half of a cantonal vote.' These historical pairings, such as Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft, stem from past conflicts and religious divisions, such as the 1597 Reformation split in Appenzell.
The terminology itself has evolved alongside the borders. The word 'canton' likely derives from the 15th-century French term for an 'edge' or 'corner.' While the number of members has fluctuated—from the original three allies to the 22 cantons of 1815 and the 26 recognized today—the sense of 'Stand' (estate) remains a pillar of Swiss identity, even appearing in the name of the Council of States.
Source: Cantons of Switzerland
