Helvetic Society

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The Helvetic Society was a non-denominational Swiss association of enlightened and cross-cantonal-federal-minded people in the second half of the 18th and first half of the 19th century.

history

The society was founded in Schinznach-Bad in 1761 by a group around Isaak Iselin , Hans Caspar Hirzel , Joseph Anton Felix von Balthasar , Daniel von Fellenberg and Joseph Anton Siegmund von Beroldingen . Further members were Johann Georg Zimmermann , Salomon Gessner , Salomon Hirzel , Johann Rudolf Tschiffeli , Werner de Lachenlal , Wernhard Huber , Vincenz Bernhard Tscharner and Niklaus Emanuel Tscharner , Johann Rudolf Ulrich . From abroad, Prince Ludwig Eugen von Württemberg , Johann Georg Schlosser and Gottlieb Konrad Pfeffel joined them. It was progressive men from the educated bourgeoisie and the aristocracy who felt the shortcomings of the outgoing ancien régime.

The new national self-confidence found its center in the Helvetic Society. In the most important nationwide association, in the spirit of the times (society movement), a friendship that transcended all borders, the development of a national feeling and federal cohesion were cultivated. The republican virtues should be further developed for freedom, equality and overcoming denominationalism ( religious tolerance ). The spiritual and moral education of the individual and the economic livelihood should be improved. This is where the idea of ​​Switzerland transcending the separation of denominations and cantons arose.

The Helvetic Society was dissolved in 1848.

The New Helvetic Society builds on the ideals of the Helvetic Society, which was founded in 1914 shortly before the outbreak of the First World War in order to strengthen the unity between German- and French-speaking Swiss , which was at risk at the time .

Other members

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. Der Brockhaus multimedial 2010, article Helvetische Gesellschaft: “Swiss association founded in 1761 to bridge religious and cantonal differences; Dissolved in 1848. " - See Emil Erne: Helvetische Gesellschaft. In: Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz .: "Ended 1858".