Neuchâtel Crisis
Encyclopedia
The Neuchâtel Crisis was the result of a diplomatic question between the Swiss Confederation and the King of Prussia
regarding the rights to the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel
. The Principality of Neuchâtel was granted to Prussia in 1707, then was ruled by Napoléon Bonaparte after the Prussian King was deposed. In 1814, the Principality was again granted to King Frederick William III of Prussia
, and the following year he agreed to allow the Principality to join the Old Swiss Confederation (which was an alliance of independent and semi-independent states rather than a single country) while remaining under his rule.
The Principality successfully revolted against Prussian rule in 1848. In 1849, the Prussian government began to press for recognition of their right to Neuchâtel. Several states proposed that Neuchâtel be separated from the newly established Modern Swiss Confederation (now a single federal state), although remaining allied with Switzerland. The British government sought to establish a diplomatic agreement, with the support of the French. The King of Prussia continued to press for his rights on the matter.
On September 23, 1856, there was a revolt by the Neuchâtel royalists, loyal to Prussia, which brought the situation to a crisis. The revolt failed and the royalists were made hostage. Negotiations began between France, England, Prussia and Russia for the future of Neuchâtel, with England strongly supporting the independence of the Principality. This conference took place in 1857. Prussia finally yielded its claim to Neuchâtel at the insistence of the other powers.
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
regarding the rights to the Swiss canton of Neuchâtel
Canton of Neuchâtel
Neuchâtel is a canton of French speaking western Switzerland. In 2007, its population was 169,782 of which 39,654 were foreigners. The capital is Neuchâtel.-History:...
. The Principality of Neuchâtel was granted to Prussia in 1707, then was ruled by Napoléon Bonaparte after the Prussian King was deposed. In 1814, the Principality was again granted to King Frederick William III of Prussia
Frederick William III of Prussia
Frederick William III was king of Prussia from 1797 to 1840. He was in personal union the sovereign prince of the Principality of Neuchâtel .-Early life:...
, and the following year he agreed to allow the Principality to join the Old Swiss Confederation (which was an alliance of independent and semi-independent states rather than a single country) while remaining under his rule.
The Principality successfully revolted against Prussian rule in 1848. In 1849, the Prussian government began to press for recognition of their right to Neuchâtel. Several states proposed that Neuchâtel be separated from the newly established Modern Swiss Confederation (now a single federal state), although remaining allied with Switzerland. The British government sought to establish a diplomatic agreement, with the support of the French. The King of Prussia continued to press for his rights on the matter.
On September 23, 1856, there was a revolt by the Neuchâtel royalists, loyal to Prussia, which brought the situation to a crisis. The revolt failed and the royalists were made hostage. Negotiations began between France, England, Prussia and Russia for the future of Neuchâtel, with England strongly supporting the independence of the Principality. This conference took place in 1857. Prussia finally yielded its claim to Neuchâtel at the insistence of the other powers.