v24_2566 - SUISSE - RÉPUBLIQUE HELVÉTIQUE 5 batzen (50 centimes), 2e type 1799 Soleure

SWITZERLAND - HELVETIC REPUBLIC

(1798-1803)

From 1790, the events in Paris had repercussions in Switzerland. In January 1798, the Directory intervened in Switzerland to control the Alpine passes and sent General Ménard to occupy Lausanne, Fribourg, Solothurn and Bern, then Eastern Switzerland, Geneva and Valais. These last conquests devote the collapse of the Confederation of the XIII cantons. A Helvetic Republic is then created on the French model, but under the control of the French armies which are quickly hated. Faced with the failure of this Republic, in 1803, by the Act of Mediation, Bonaparte authorized Switzerland to once again become a Confederation numbering 19 cantons this time..