EIDGENOSSENSCHAFT Meaning and
Definition
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Eidgenossenschaft is a German word that translates to "confederation" in English. It is a term mainly used to refer to the historical Swiss Confederation or the modern-day Swiss Federal State.
In the historical context, Eidgenossenschaft specifically refers to the alliance formed by the three original Swiss cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden in 1291. Over time, other Swiss cantons joined this confederation, establishing the foundation of the Swiss nation. The term Eidgenossenschaft highlights the key aspect of this confederation, which was the mutual agreement or oath (Eid) taken by these various cantons to cooperate with each other under a common law and for the maintenance of peace and freedom.
In the present-day context, Eidgenossenschaft is often used to refer to Switzerland as a whole, emphasizing the country's federal structure where several cantons have joined together to form a confederation. This term signifies the unity, cooperation, and decentralized nature of the Swiss political system, where power is shared between the central government and the cantons.
Overall, Eidgenossenschaft represents both the historical and contemporary Swiss confederation, emphasizing the principles of cooperation, unity, and shared governance among various cantons or states within Switzerland.
Etymology of EIDGENOSSENSCHAFT
The word "Eidgenossenschaft" is derived from the Old High German term "Eidginozziun". The original form of the word can be traced back to the Middle High German "eitgenosenschaft", which consists of two components: "Eid" meaning "oath" or "pledge" and "Genossenschaft" meaning "association" or "community".
In Switzerland, the term "Eidgenossenschaft" refers to the Swiss Confederation or the Federal State of Switzerland. It carries the idea of a nation formed by individuals or communities who have voluntarily pledged to uphold common values and goals, similar to an association bound by a shared oath. The term has its roots in the Swiss historical context, specifically in the formation of the original Swiss Confederation in the thirteenth century, when various cantons joined together in a cooperative alliance to protect their individual and collective interests.
