Question

Compare swiss federal system with american federal system

Answer 1

Switzerland is a sovereign state with 20 full Cantons and 6 half Cantons. These are counted as 23 Cantons because 6 half Cantons together constitute 3 full Cantons. These Cantons are non-sovereign units which together form the Swiss Federation.

The process of their unification started in 1291 with the Everlasting Alliance between three Cantons- Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden (Obwalden). By 1513, the alliance came to have 13 Cantons.

In 1648, the Treaty of Westphalia recognized the alliance as a confederation. The establishment of a united Helvetic Republic in 1798 after the French conquest of Switzerland came as a blessing in disguise in so far as it gave strength to the forces of integration.