Helvetic Revolution in Brugg
The Helvetic Revolution describes the upheavals within the Old Confederation in 1797/98 before the founding of the Helvetic Republic .
background
In the 18th century, few long-established families held the most important offices in Brugg . The concentration of power within a small group of people not only paid off in the almost absolute rule and in material advantages, but also strengthened relationships with the highest circles in the city and republic of Bern .
At the end of the 18th century, the demands of the French Revolution for the abolition of the privileges of the ruling families and the subordinate relationships fell on fertile ground in the enlightened circles of the Old Confederation , including in the Bern municipal town of Brugg.
The billiards club
Many citizens were interested in the news from neighboring France. Due to an economic crisis, people were dissatisfied and wanted things to change. In 1792, Berne issued a ban on two "particularly dangerous" writings and banned all newspapers and leaflets from France. In 1793, however, some were approved again. In 1797 censorship struck again. In February 1798 a ban was imposed on all clubs and private companies with a political purpose. The Bruges aristocracy viewed developments in the city with suspicion, as citizens demanded equality and voting rights. Since 1796 young men who were politically interested met in the town's wine tavern. Disguised as a billiards club, they discussed events and developments in France and considered how these could be introduced in the Swiss Confederation, especially in the state of Bern . Karl-Friedrich Zimmermann (1765–1823) and Johann Jakob Bächli jr. were the brains behind the billiards club and sons of the Bruges aristocracy. The third spokesman was Samuel Stäbli (1766-1820).
The first exchange of blows
When the mayor Vätterlin died in early 1797 , there was an open election between the billiards club and the Brugger Council for the first time. A successor for Vätterlin had to be chosen from the eight councils. Then the small council had to be completed, with a person from the grand council moving up. Finally, the Great Council was filled with a member of the small bell. Since they were all just members of the small bell, none of the billiards club members could advance to the small council. From the ranks of those loyal to Bern, Johannes Frey prevailed and was elected mayor.
The trial of strength
The French armies threatened the Swiss Confederation. When Vaud broke away from Bern in 1798, the Grand Council in Bern was expanded to find a common solution. Every rural town and every rural bailiff should delegate a representative. In Brugg, therefore, there was a battle of strength between the regiment and those in favor of an innovation. When Amtschultheiss Bächli received the news, he initially only involved the small council. Johannes Frey was elected with only one vote against. When the only opponent of the election appealed to the Grand Council of Brugg, it was also convened. But here too the majority confirmed the choice. The "revolutionary pastor" Jakob Emanuel Feer, Frey's most outspoken political opponent, now called for the citizenship to be included - but the majority of the citizenship also voted for Frey. Johannes Frey was thus elected by the council and the citizens to represent Brugg in the enlarged Grand Council of Bern. Probably because of strong hostility from his political opponents, he rejected the election. Several ballots were then necessary. Three elected refused. Zimmermann remarked that he was more necessary in Brugg than in Bern. He proposed Albrecht Rengger , a citizen of Bruges who lived in Bern , who was then elected. A committee was also founded, but it was dissolved by Bern.
Dance around the freedom tree
On Wednesday, January 31, 1798, the four Bruges companies had to march out. They had included the troops of the city and the bailiffs of Königsfelden and Schenkenberg . Nevertheless, the military efforts were in vain because the French troops marched into Switzerland. Bern fell on March 5th. The committee that took power in Brugg was convened immediately. On March 8, all the communities in the surrounding bailiffs, with whom the city had fought many a dispute, received a letter. In it the Comité declared on behalf of the citizens that they no longer wanted any arguments with them. The new rulers in Brugg knew exactly that the loyal forces in the country were still great.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Baumann, Max, Steigmeier, Andreas: Experience Brugg , Part 1: Spotlights on the history of Brugg , Baden: hier + now, 2005, p. 148 f.
- ↑ Baumann, Max, Steigmeier, Andreas: Experience Brugg , Part 1: Spotlights on the history of Brugg , Baden: hier + now, 2005, p. 165 ff.
- ↑ Baumann, Max, Steigmeier, Andreas: Experience Brugg , Part 1: Spotlights on the history of Brugg , Baden: hier + now, 2005, p. 173.
- ↑ Feer, Eduard: Jakob Emanuel Feer: 1754-1833 . In: Argovia: Annual Journal of the Historical Society of the Canton of Aargau, Volume 65 (1953), p. 107.
- ↑ Schuler, Johann Melchior: History of the Revolution and the Fall of the Old Confederation up to the Beginning of the Helvetian Republic: 5 . Schulthess, Zurich 1851, p. 77 f.
- ↑ Baumann, Max, Steigmeier, Andreas: Experience Brugg , Part 1: Spotlights on the history of Brugg , Baden: hier + now, 2005, p. 175 f.
- ↑ Baumann, Max, Steigmeier, Andreas: Experience Brugg , Part 1: Spotlights on Brugg's History , Baden: hier + now, 2005, p. 180f.