The Dark Side of the Swiss Confederation:: The Horror Days of Nidwalden

By Lukas Stofer

In "The Horror Days of Nidwalden" Lukas Stofer reveals the dark side of Swiss history. He relentlessly exposes the failures and selfishness of the old Swiss Confederation that sealed the downfall of the community. Stofer challenges us to rethink the heroic narratives and learn from the past. This book is a memorial that encourages us not to glorify history, but to take responsibility and stand together for a better future.The Dark Side of the Confederation
The horror days of Nidwalden and their consequences

• Language: English
• Publisher: MoreBooks
• Release date: Jul 5, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223692003

Book preview

The Dark Side of the Swiss Confederation

The Horror Days of Nidwalden

Lukas Stofer

Foreword

Chapter 1: The French invasion of Switzerland and its impact on Nidwalden

1.1 The French Revolution and its ideas reach Switzerland

1.2: Napoleon Bonaparte's expansionist policy and Switzerland

1.3: The Threat to Nidwalden and the Reaction of the Swiss Confederation

1.4: The arrival of the French army in Nidwalden

Chapter 2: The occupation and suppression of Nidwalden by the French troops

2.1: The confiscation of resources and the establishment of quarters

2.2: The introduction of French laws and administrative structures

2.3: The daily life of the population under French rule

2.4: The repressions and acts of violence against the population of Nidwalden

Chapter 3: The Role of the Confederates in the Conflict with Nidwalden

3.1: Political and military decisions of the Confederation

3.2: The failure of the Confederation and its impact on Nidwalden

3.3: The lack of support for Nidwalden in Switzerland

3.4: The political and social consequences for Nidwalden

Chapter 4: The Life of the People in Nidwalden during the Days of Terror

4.1: The effects of the occupation on the everyday way of life

4.2: The social and economic plight of the population

4.3: Restrictions on civil liberties and rights

4.4: The role of women, children and families during this period

Chapter 5: Resistance and liberation movements in Nidwalden

5.1: The emergence of resistance groups and their goals

5.2: Strategies and tactics of the resistance fighters

5.3: The cooperation with other Swiss cantons or foreign powers

Chapter 6: The End of the Days of Terror and the Return to Normal Order in Nidwalden

6.1: The withdrawal of the French troops from Nidwalden

6.2: The restoration of the old order or the introduction of new political structures

6.3: The reintegration of former resistance fighters and political opponents

6.4: The challenges of overcoming the consequences of the occupation

Chapter 7: The Political and Social Consequences of the Days of Terror for Nidwalden

7.1: Changes in the political structure and power relations

7.2: Effects on the legal system and the administration

7.3: The education system and the church under the influence of the occupation

7.4: The consequences for economic development and trade

Chapter 8: Personalities and their stories during the horror days of Nidwalden

8.1: Biographies of resistance fighters and political actors

8.2: Testimonies of people who experienced the horror days

8.3: The role of local leaders and decision makers.

8.4: The fates of victims and persecuted during this time

Epilogue

Foreword

Dear readers

It is with great pleasure that I present to you this book about the Horror Days of Nidwalden in 1798. As a historian who has worked intensively on the history of Central Switzerland for many years, it was important to me to research this significant phase of our past in depth and to share it with you.

Why should we deal with such a dark chapter of our history? The answer is simple: we cannot move forward without understanding our past. Too often, we tend to view history as a collection of heroic stories that make us feel good and feed our pride in Switzerland. But by engaging in this glorification, we lose the valuable learning effect that history can provide.

The horror days of Nidwalden represent a turning point in our history when the cohesion of the Old Confederation failed completely. It is a time when the selfishness and self-interest of the Old Confederates led them to abandon their confederates. These events marked the actual demise of the old Confederation and laid the foundation for the later warlike conflicts that culminated in the Sonderbund War.

As a historian, I consider it my duty to liberate historiography from a purely glorifying point of view and to offer an honest account. The horror days of Nidwalden were not a heroic story, but a story of failure and consequences resulting from a lack of solidarity and shared values. By confronting the dark side of our past, we can recognize our mistakes and lay the foundation for a better future.

In recent years, I have