Helvetic Republic

The Helvetic Republic was a short-lived, centralized government in Switzerland from 1798 to 1803, established after French revolutionary troops invaded. It replaced the traditional loose confederation of Swiss cantons with a more uniform, French-inspired structure aimed at modernizing the nation. However, many Swiss people found its authoritarian style unpopular, and regional identities remained strong. After military and political pressures, it was dissolved, and Switzerland returned to a more federal system. The Helvetic Republic was an important step toward modern Switzerland, influencing its future political development and national unity.