Territorial development of the Swiss Confederacy, since 1291

The Middle Ages: a colourful patchwork
In the Middle Ages, the well-defined territories of today did not exist. Property and sovereignty were based on a variety of rights that were acquired over time. A landlord – a monastery, nobleman or city – could simultaneously own both land and people, control other peoples’ fiefs, exert judicial functions, and make use of ecclesiastical rights, levy dues, taxes and tolls. To make property easier to manage, the pre-eminent landowner in the area was even given jurisdiction over people who did not live on their property. At the time, these districts were known as judicial authorities or bailiwicks (governed by a Vogt, or bailiff). Purchases, exchanges or pledges could result in the property and its inhabitants and rights being transferred to someone else.

14th century: from an alliance of three forest communities to a Confederacy of eight cantons
In the 14th century, the alliance of three forest communities (Waldstätte) comprising Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden became the Acht Orte Confederacy of eight cantons. After Lucerne joined this alliance in 1332, Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee) added to its power. That is why, in 1351, Zurich and its mayor Rudolf Brun sought the alliance’s support against its internal and external enemies. In 1352, the Habsburg territorial city of Zug and the valley of Glarus were conquered by the alliance and enjoyed equal rights. The alliance with Bern in 1353 provided the forest communities with protection on their western flank. It also allowed Bern to protect its Oberland against incursions from Unterwalden. In 1389, Habsburg recognised the territorial gains of the Acht Orte.

15th century: new borders in the north and south
In the late Middle Ages, the Confederacy formed the borders that would largely remain in place until 1798. Between 1481 and 1513, the Acht Orte alliance was joined by five former “Zugewandte Orte” (associate cantons). Fribourg (1481), Solothurn (1481), Basel (1501), Schaffhausen (1501) and Appenzell (1513). These 13 had full rights – eight cities and five states each with their own territories or respective subject territories – and formed the heart of the Confederacy of 13 cantons, legally bound by the Federal Charter. Different allies were grouped around them, namely “Zugewandte Orte” such as St. Gallen, Mulhouse, Rottweil, Biel, the Valais and the Three Leagues. From 1400, the cantons had a mutual estate known as the “Gemeinen Herrschaften”. The cantons involved in purchasing these subject territories were responsible for governing them. The five German “Gemeinen Herrschaften” of Baden, Freiamt, Thurgau, Rheintal and Sargans were joined by the four Ennetbürgen/Italian territories: Lugano (Lauis), Mendrisio (Mendris), Locarno (Luggarus) and Valle Maggia (Maiental).

16th and 17th centuries: expansion into the south and west
Between 1512 and 1564, Switzerland reached the largest geographical size in its history. In the south, the confederates pushed forward deep into modern-day Northern Italy. With the capture of the Vaud, the western central plateau became part of the Confederacy. In 1512, the 12 Alten Orte (old cantons) won not only the entire Tessin Canton, but also the Val d’Ossola (Eschental) along with Domodossola. At the same time, the Free State of the Three Rhaetian Leagues annexed the Italian bailiwicks of Bormio (Worms), Valtellina and Chiavenna. In 1515, Eschental was lost once more, but soon afterwards the Confederacy expanded to the west and southwest. In 1536, Bern captured parts of the Duchy of Savoy: the Vaud and the entire Lake Geneva basin with the southerly sovereignties of Gex, Gaillard, Ternier and Chablais. The Valais was occupying the western part of Chablais at the same time. In 1564, however, all the annexed regions south of Lake Geneva and the Geneva basin had to be returned to the Duchy of Savoy.
In the 17th century, the borders remained virtually unchanged compared to 1591. After their complete dissociation from the German Empire in 1648, the 13 fully entitled cantons became fully independent sovereignties.

18th and 19th centuries: dissolution of internal borders and rounding territories
The Napoleonic Wars brought about a time of unprecedented, drastic change for the Confederacy’s borders. From 1798 to 1815, the national territory was undergoing constant change. However, during the Congress of Vienna of 1814/15, it became similar to how we know it today, with only minor changes. At the same time, the Great Powers of Europe recognised Switzerland as an independent, neutral state.
When French troops invaded in 1798, it resulted in the dissolution of internal borders. There was no longer any difference between governing cities and sub-states, or between free cantons and mutual estates. The centrally controlled Helvetia unitary state introduced larger administrative units, like the cantons of Waldstätten, Linth and Säntis. These disappeared again with the revised constitution of 1803. However, the compulsory surrender of Prince-Bishopric of Basel to France remained in force. France also annexed the independent City Republic of Geneva and gained unrestricted control of the Valais Republic, which, on paper, was independent. At the same time, Fricktal, which had belonged to Hasburg until then, became part of Switzerland. Conversely, Grisons (Graubünden) had to relinquish Valtellina to the Cisalpine Republic, along with Chiavenna and Bormio.
The defeat of France, sealed by the Congress of Vienna, meant that the Swiss national territory grew by over ten percent in 1815. The Valais, Neuchâtel and Geneva newly entered the Swiss Confederation.