Hello Antonio

I did not know the fact that Napoleon put together and introduced the new "code civile" in France in 1804 and afterward in all territories he had conquered - so in Switzerland as well.

It remained one of the most fundamental judicial systems in many countries - based on the ideas of the "enlightenment" and the French Revolution and was based on the equality of everyone before the law, no matter what your origin and social status may be.

His abilities as a military leader and to gain power allowed him to not only collect this groundbreaking new code but to put it into practice too - and that is how he reformed not only the judicial system but the way states and nations are organized and function until now.

I clearly underestimated his commitment and contribution to this field.

Thanks for your hint, Antonio!

The other fact that I found is about the long-standing close relationship between Switzerland and France in the 18th century. Originally due to soldiers and officers serving in French but also other armies, it appears that later many intellectuals and people from trades and industries studied or worked in France. Louis XVI renewed contracts with the Swiss Cantons in 1777, guarantying the neutrality, security, and privileged trading between the two countries for another 50 years  - and that is why the ideas of the Enlightenment were well known by Swiss leaders and why later the French Revolution had such an impact on Switzerland too. Swiss men like Jean-Jaques Rousseau and Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi found a keen public in France in turn.

It is good to go back in history once in a while, isn't it?

Best regards
Urs