History of Geneva

Geneva is mentioned for the first time by Jules César in his Commentaires on the War of Gaules . After being last under the domination of Burgondes and the Francs, the city become independent master key under the domination of sound bishop. With the arrival of Jean Calvin, the city adopts the Protestant Réforme and becomes an important center of diffusion of the Calvinisme on a European scale. Its economic fabric diversifies gradually with the development of the sectors of the Horlogerie and the Banque. It is necessary to await the French revolution so that the aristocratic mode crumbles after several attempts at rising. After a passage of a score of years under the domination of Napoleonean France, the Old Mode is partially restored. It is in 1848 that the revolution fazyste will definitively transform Geneva in a context of Industrialization. The 20th century sees the installation of the young people international organizations and the city acquires an international repute then.

Antiquity

The Roman tender of the country of the Allobroges intervenes as of 121 av. J. - C. Geneva then becomes a advanced station in the north of the province of the transalpine Gaulle (will take the name of Gaulle Narbonnese starting from the reign of Auguste). The installation of a port intervenes in 123 - 105 front J. - C. the city then consists of modest a Agglomération where the dwellings are built in Bois and in Torchis. Geneva enters the history in 52 av. J. - C., when Jules César mentions his passage in this city ( Genua ) in its Commentaires on the War of Gaules (De Bello Gallico). Wanting to prevent the passage of the Helvètes, César cuts the bridge on the the Rhone. When César settles temporarily with its troops in 58 av. J. - C., the Oppidum still increases consequently becomes a Roman city (Vicus then Civitas). However, Nyon ( Colonia Julia Equestris ) then Avenches ( Aventicum ) occupies a more important place in the regional urban network. After a Fire in the middle of the 1st century, town planning is modified and constructions in stone replace the light material buildings. At the end of the 4th century, the complex is completed: it consists of a church of more than thirty meters of long broadside by a gantry of access towards the Baptistère and its appendix. At the beginning of the Middle Ages, the horizontal development of the Roman epoch then the reduction of urban space imposed by the system of fortification adopted is replaced by a medieval city built in height.

The Middle Ages

The structure of the capacity between the arrival of Burgondes and the agreement of Seyssel of 1124 is the subject of debates which are not closed today. Opposite the king burgonde, the bishop has the spiritual authority. But the dynastic quarrels weaken the monarchy burgonde which disappears in 534 with the profit from the Francs. Geneva then becomes the center of a Pagus which depends on the reigning king with Orleans or of the king of Neustrie. As of the time of the Carolingian , the Diocèse of Geneva is the stake of power struggles between the sovereigns of the area and the emperor. If he exerts a certain number of regalities like that to beat Monnaie, the bishop does not receive the comtaux rights in one or the other part of his diocese which are exerted by the count de Genève which has a castle above the Borough-of-Furnace. However, the imperial capacity remains nominal, the reality of the capacity remaining with the hands of the local lord, the count, who has a castle on the Borough-of-Furnace. With the Gregorian Reform, at the end of the 11th century, begins a reaction against the encroachments of the lord on the goods of the Église. Supported by the Pope, the bishop Humbert de Grammont imposes on the count Amédée III of Savoy the agreement of Seyssel which establishes the complete sovereignty of the bishop on the city. He can then extend his property on three rural châtelleries or mandements whose principal ones are Peney and Jussy.

However, the beginning of the 13th century sees the intervention of a third being able, that of the Maison of Savoy, which takes possession of the Pays of Vaud. Geneva being located at the center of their new field, the counts of Savoy consequently will covet the rich person quoted to make them Capitale of it. In 1263, the Genevese tradesmen and craftsmen gather for the first time in order to fight against the power seigneuriale of the bishop. He seizes the castle keeping then the Rhone and makes recognize his new influence by a treaty concluded with Asti (Italy) in 1290. In 1309, the bishop Aymon de Quart is constrained to recognize the legal existence of the commune provided that it does not encroach on the episcopal jurisdiction. N the other hand, it imposes to the inhabitants the construction of a market in Molard, from now on necessary to the storage of the goods intended for the fairs, and one the third of the receipts ensures some to them. Consequently, the citizens, assembled at the beginning of each year within the General advice - kind of Landsgemeinde -, elect for one year the four Syndics of Geneva. In addition, in 1387, the bishop Adhémar Fabri must confirm the franknesses gradually granted to the citizens and to their syndics by a charter which will dominate during a hundred and fifty years the Genevese political life. Even if the citizens try to make face with the bishop against the common enemy, Amédée VIII of Savoy, elected Antipape under the name of Felix V, obtains from the pope Nicolas V the right for the princes of his house to name the bishops sitting on their territory. The Genevese episcopal see will consequently be occupied by of Savoy or the members of vassal families.

Engaged by its bishop at the sides of the duke of Burgundy in the War of Burgundy, Geneva is threatened a time by the Swiss ones after their victory and is condemned in 1475 to pay an important fine. The Jean-Louis bishop of Savoy turns then to the winners and concludes, the November 14th 1477, with the towns of Bern and Freiburg, a treaty of combourgeoisy which dies out with its death in 1482. They are then the first instrument between Geneva - perceived by the Swiss ones like a strategic position - and the Swiss Cantons. Vis-a-vis inclinations of annexation of Savoyard, several Genevese personalities dispute the collaborationist attitude of the commune and fear the monarchical mode. Among those appear Besancon Hugues or Philibert Berthelier which belongs to the middle-class of the merchants. In 1519, it is the community of the citizens which signs with Freiburg a treaty of combourgeoisy but the duke constrained Charles II of Savoy the Genevese to be given up this alliance directed against him whereas the Jean bishop of Savoy makes carry out Berthelier the August 23rd in front of the castle of the Island. However, Eidguenots manage in a few weeks to conclude a treaty from mutual assistance, signed in 1526 with Freiburg and Bern, which announces the end of the capacity of the bishop and the emergence of an autonomous seigniory. It is approved by the General advice the February 25th. An assembly chosen by the syndics, the the Council of the Two hundred, is then created and deals with part of the prerogatives of the General advice.

On the economic plan, XIIIe century sees the appearance of the fairs which attract a growing number of people at increasingly high distances. The arrival of Italian merchants contribute to famous of Geneva. In addition, the city starts to be made a name in the banking field: the Médicis of Florence open a banking branch in there 1424. This prosperity attracts mainly the Savoyard ones and the Burgundian ones but also of the Italians and a Jewish small number of which is relegated in a Ghetto in 1428 before being expelled of the city in 1490. At the 12th century, a new system of fortifications includes the suburbs just as the neighbouring countryside, thus tripling the surface of the city which will not move any more until the middle of the 19th century. At the 14th century, the shore of the lake is pushed back Low Streets with the current street of the Rhone, thus allowing the urban expansion and the installation of the places of Fusterie, Molard and Longemalle which open each one on a port. The August 22nd, the Pierre bishop of the Balsam leaves Geneva and transfers to Gex the episcopal court. The August 10th 1535, the Messe is suspended and, the November 26th, the Council of the Two hundreds allots the right of coinage in its place - thus marking its sovereignty - whereas the city is again threatened by the Savoy. Bern, new powerful ally because passed to the Reform contrary to Freiburg, intervenes and conquers new territories (Country of Vaud, Pays of Gex, Chablais, etc). The Réforme is definitively adopted the May 21st 1536. The city inherits the regalities and the capacity seigneurial of the bishop on the inhabitants of the majority of its rural possessions. It recovers also certain grounds of the surroundings which depended on the bishop and its magistrates extend their prerogatives on all his territory (city, franknesses and mandements). Inside the city, the middle-class men and citizens enjoy privileges and specific exemptions of taxes. However, of the oppositions start to be done day at the notable ones as for the balance of power sought by Calvin or with the strict repression of the luxury by the Consistoire. In 1553, Michel Servet is carried out with Champel to have denied the Trinité whereas in 1555 a riot fomented against Calvin is subdued and certain protestors carried out.

In 1568, Germain Colladon is the principal author of the edicts which update the ordinances on the offices of 1543, governing the Genevese political organization, and especially the civil Edicts which fix for more than two centuries the procedure rules and of Private law in Geneva in a synthesis of the Genevese right, Roman law and habits of the Berry. The political institutions include/understand the General advice, where sit the members of the Bourgeoisie of Geneva, the Council of the Two hundreds, the Conseil of the Sixty and, for the religious affairs, the Consistory. As of its advent in 1580, the attacks of the duke Charles-Emmanuel {{Ier}} of Savoy multiply. Geneva extends then its alliance with Soleure, Zurich and France. In April 1589, the Genevese and their allies try to make move back the Savoyard ones which manage to maintain their position. The December 11th 1602, the new night attack of Savoyard, defeat remained in the history under the name of “Climbing”, constrained the duke to accept a durable peace sealed by the Treated of Saint-Julien of the July 12th 1603 which recognizes the independence of the city. The negotiations are placed under the mediation of the Protestant cantons of Soleure, Basle, Schaffhouse, Glaris and Appenzell which will finance the reinforcement of the fortifications. On the economic plan, many Italian Protestants but especially French double the population during the Années 1550 and give a new dynamism to the city. A new wave of French refugees coincides with the revocation of the Édit of Nantes in 1685 and the Massacre of the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre even if this temporary surge reinforces dissatisfactions which result in a petition against the French presence into 1696. These newcomers, business men, bankers or craftsmen, however bring money and relations with the foreign mediums of businesses and develop the role of commercial relay of Geneva.

The manufacturing activities established by their care - Soie laughs whose Masters are Italian, Dorure and Horlogerie after the disappearance of the silk trade in the middle of the 15th century - develop for the first time with the Exportation thanks to the support that the municipal authorities grant to them. However, in a preoccupation of regulation and a control, the government takes part in the creation of the controls, holders of Monopole S of manufacture. The Imprimerie appeared in 1478 develops its activities quickly, with an aim of propagating the faith reformed, before constituting the first Genevese corporation in 1560. Consequently, the demographic pressure is strong inside the city and restricted space. At the end of the 16th century, the population of Geneva does not exceed however 14.000 inhabitants but the abolition of the Christian festivals and the work hours day laborer from 12 to 2 p.m. increase the Productivité of Geneva compared to its catholic neighbors. Whereas the England is directed by the catholic queen Marie Tudor, which persecutes the Protestants, a certain number of intellectuals take refuge in Geneva of which William Whittingham which supervises the translation of the Bible of Geneva in collaboration with Miles Coverdale, Christopher Goodman, Anthony Gilby, Thomas Sampson and William Cole. In addition, the Alphabétisation of the Genevese remains higher than that their catholic neighbors. The advent of the Age of Enlightenment results in an ideological opening attested by work of Jean-Robert Chouet, Jean-Alphonse Turrettini or Jean-Antoine Gautier.

18th century

The century, economically and culturally flourishing, is shaken by political disturbances that the contemporaries call the “revolutions of Geneva”. Indeed, the political system in place rests on the distinction between two groups: those which profit from the political and civil rights - aristocrats and middle-class which occupies almost all of the lucrative professions and monopolizes the essence of Genevese fortune - but remain minority (27% in 1781) and those which do not have political rights and only certain civil laws (inhabitants and natives). It is however inside the group formed by the citizens and the middle-class men that the fight ends up bursting. Because the aristocracy is little by little to monopolize the political authority, by using the possibilities in particular that offers recruitment by co-optation of the Small Council and the Conseil of the Two hundred since the war of 1589, and monopolizes the capacity without requiring the opinion of the General advice which gathers all the citizens and the middle-class men. A movement of revolt bursts in 1707 because of a dissatisfaction with economic order. Indeed, the aristocracy misuses its capacity and puts at the service its economic interests, which involves damages for the Middle-class. Overcome, the government alerts France which intervenes by a satisfactory arbitration for the citizens. The Payment of the Mediation, accepted by the General advice in 1738, will be used during thirty years as constitution: it grants more economic rights with the natives and obliges to pass through the General advice for all new law or all new project of tax. After the treaties of 1749 and 1754 signed with France and Savoy (become the Royaume of Sardinia), Geneva becomes main of its rural territory even if this one remains wedged among the French and Sardinian possessions. However, contradicting the certificate of tolerance decreed by the Encyclopedia of Diderot and Alembert , the Small Council condemns in 1762 two works of Rousseau - Emile or Of education and Of the social Contract - to being flarings in front of the Hotel-of-City because “tending to destroy the Christian religion and all the governments”. But the Aristocratie calls Louis XVI with the assistance: three united armies - French, Sardinian and Bernese - besiege Geneva which capitulates the July 2nd 1782. In 1793, the Old Mode ends in Geneva: a constitution, written by an National Assembly and voted by the citizens the February 5th 1794, institutes a control extended on behalf of the citizens on the acts of the government and the administration. However, it holds the Citoyenneté with the only Protestant men. In July, of the clubs extremists made up craftsmen and small shopkeepers fearing a plot counter-revolutionary and the rejection of a law which must create a tax intended to finance the occasions of work, launch a Insurrection. A revolutionary tribunal is made up and condemns to death 37 people - aristocrats but also common peoples suspected of making a pact with the aristocracy - but only eleven of them are carried out. In second half of the century, the Genevese population grows thanks to an surge of immigrants - mainly French then Vaudois which works in the professions forsaken by the Genevese - to reach 27.000 inhabitants in 1790. The Infant mortality also knows a major progress while passing from 550 per thousand in the Années 1660 with 325 per thousand one century later.

The 18th century is one century of great prosperity and the city becomes a scientific center where printing works profits from a rather great freedom. The Genevese economy is dominated - 32% of the credits - by the sector of the clock industry and its additional trades gathered under the name of “Factory”, network small Atelier S artisanal located at the upper floor of the buildings. However, only the commercial Masters have the capacity to export the Genevese production. In addition, the fabric economy sees developing an industry of the Indians - characterized by great manufactures - in the first third of the century to become the second sector in term of importance. Dependant on the development of the international business and to the needs for money for the wars of Louis XIV, bankings become one of the pivots of the Genevese economy starting from 1700. At the end of August, after having given up its sovereignty and its alliances, Geneva is selected like prefecture and Chef-lieu of the department of Léman. The city is for the first time considered as an administrative entity distinct from its territory: a municipal administration is in charge of the local businesses while the communes located apart from the fortifications belong to a distinct administration. Geneva becomes a French city then among others and its inhabitants make the experiment of the Napoleonean Centralisme. Pursuant to the law of the February 17th 1800, the city from now on is managed by a mayor, two associated and a municipal council. Among the innovations brought by the French mode appear the Civil code which places Geneva under a completely new mode, in particular with regard to the separation of the civilian and the monk. However, the magistrates are conscious that Geneva cannot form one isolated State any more and turn to the old Swiss allies by asking the entry of the republic in the Swiss Confederation. In spite of the fear of the Swiss catholics vis-a-vis “Protestant Rome” and to the disorders which she knew at the XVIIIe century, fastening is effective the May 19th 1815 after having obtained the opening-up of the canton - annexation of common Frenchwomen negotiated by Charles Pictet de Rochemont - and the drafting of a preserving constitution marked by the return of the vote censitaire and approved in August 1814. Under the direction of the cantonal engineer, Guillaume-Henri Dufour, the city is modernized. However, the government causes various groups of dissatisfied (catholics, tradesmen, workmen and liberals). In 1833 and 1834, the Strike S of the tailors and metal workers are among the first strikes of the 19th century in Switzerland. A riot which proceeds in November 1841 pushes a revolutionary movement baptized the Association from Three-March to claim a recasting of the government. Association will obtain finally only the election of a constituent assembly. The constitution of 1842 adopts the male vote for all and equips the town of Geneva from clean municipal institutions. However, the Guerre of Sonderbund ends up involving the fall of the mode. The October 3rd 1846, the authorities refuse to recommend to the Genevese members federal Diète to vote the dissolution of the Sonderbund. The working district of Saint-Gervais is raised consequently, two days afterwards, and pushes back the governmental troops. It is the release of a Révolution of left carried out by the Radical party of James Fazy which reverses the government and establishes a new constitution the May 24th 1847 which removes in particular the character dominating of Protestantism. During the ten following years, Fazy controls Geneva while being pressed on the workmen and the tradesmen. The revolution fazyste also results in the destruction of the fortifications which enclose the city and slow down its population growth. Undertaken as of the end 1849, this destruction sees the city obtaining grand boulevards, of residential districts (Tranchées, Pâquis, etc), of public edifices (Grand Theater, Musée of art and history, religious buildings, etc) and of many school buildings. The disappearance of the enclosure is accompanied by transformations inside the old agglomeration bored of new streets and Boulevard S (fazyste girdles) and decorated few walks. The building site, which is also used to suppress the economic crisis by employing many unemployed whereas its foreign population passes from 24% in 1850 to 42% in 1913 (mainly French). Geneva will then accommodate many refugees political Italian, German, French and Russian (of which Lénine). On the economic plan, the Industrialization of the area evolves/moves, with the appearance of workshops of Mécanique, switchgears and Automobile S, whereas the electrification of the city is made under the impulse of the administrative adviser Theodore Turrettini with the construction of the factories of the Driving forces and Goats. The extension of the Free zone founded with the restoration of 1813 contributes to the regional exchanges. Geneva becomes also one of the fortified towns of the Internationale, which holds a congress in to with it 1866, and two important strikes, in 1868 and 1902, contribute to the improvement of the work conditions of the workmen. In 1882, the radical Georges Favon founds the courts of conciliation board whereas, ten years later, the introduction of the poll proportional allows the appearance of the Socialist party and the election of the first Socialist like member of a Swiss cantonal executive: Fritz Thiébaud.

After the council the Vatican I in 1870, the radical Antoine Carteret makes vote laws anticlericals to be opposed to the ambitions supposed of the cardinal Gaspard Mermillod to restore one évêché in Geneva. It is necessary to await the elections of 1878 to see this policy blamed by the conservatives. Carteret also founds obligatory education and allows the entry of the women the university. Moreover, in spite of its modest size, Geneva accommodates already many scientists of which Augustin Pyrame de Candolle, François Jules Pictet of the Bank, Carl Vogt or Jean-Daniel Colladon.

20th century

At the beginning of the 20th century, Geneva accommodates many political refugees whereas it become the cradle of the founded Croix-Rouge according to the ideas of the Genevese Henri Dunant and the committee chaired by the Dufour general. In the wake of the First World War, the Class struggle is accentuated and led to the general strike of the November 11th 1918 directed since the German-speaking Switzerland . But ambient francophilia reduced largely its impact to Geneva. However, it marks during the following decade the relations between the working class, supported by a Socialist party preaching the Dictatorship of the proletariat, and the Bourgeoisie, whose certain fringes join the new National union of Georges Oltramare, even if the economic revival attenuates the tensions. However, two years after the Krach of 1929 reappears the economic crisis accentuated by the suppression by France of the free zone surrounding the canton. The international mission of the city continues particularly after the First World War: it becomes - in particular by the action of Gustave Ador and William Rappard - the seat of the Société of the Nations in 1919. The May 18th 1930, the voters approve in Votation the constitution of the commune under its current form with the fusion of the communes of Geneva, of the Water-Sharp, Plainpalais and the Petit-Saconnex. At the origin of this fusion, there is in particular the fact that its population moves the suburban communes.

In this context, the important arrival of workmen come from other cantons quickly reinforces the socialist delegation carried out by Leon Nicole and, in reaction, of the small parts of fascistic inspiration like the National union. This last attacks the socialist leaders the November 9th 1932, which involves a manifestation of the left antifascist. On this occasion, young people recruits shoot without summation at crowd making thirteen died and 63 wounded. This tragedy generates, a few days later, a new general strike in sign of protest. At the time of the elections of November 1933, the Socialist party obtains with him only the majority with the Council of State, in particular thanks to the banking scandals concerning the line. Nevertheless, the financial position of the canton and the attacks of Nicole against the bankers reduce the room for maneuver of the left drastiquement whereas the line links and founds the national Agreement which takes again the majority of the Council of State in November 1936. Approving the pact germano-Soviet of 1939, Nicole causes the scission of the Socialist party before its formation is not prohibited in 1941. After the Second world war, the European seat of UNO and tens of international organizations settles in Geneva, which will be advantageous with the development of the Tourisme of leisures and businesses. With the arrival of the Years 1960, Geneva is one of the first Swiss areas where the xenophobe movements are a certain success, with the appearance of the Vigilants, but also the third canton to grant the right to vote cantonal and communal with the women. Into this context, the participation in the cantonal elections which reaches 76% more in 1945 falls to 35% in 1993. Of 1931 with 1995, the city is managed by a middle-class majority. As of 1995, the left and the Verts obtain the double majority of the Municipal council and the Administrative counsel of the city then, two years later, the absolute majority with the Grand the Council. June 1st, 2003, a great demonstration gathers: 20000 with: 30000 people against the top of the G8 which is held with Evian, French authorities having prohibited any demonstration in the perimeter of the top. Incidents proceed in margin of the demonstration, in particular with a descent of groups of Black Bloc S in the commercial street of the city. After the Second world war, the urban development of the agglomeration exceeds the borders of the city gradually. Indeed, if the commune of Geneva shelters 71,2 % of the population of the canton in 1941, this proportion fall to 43 % in 2000 but also inhabitants of close France - called frontier - from which the number grows with the conclusion of the Accords between Switzerland and the European Union. On the economic plan, the city is touched by the phenomenon of disindustrialization - a factory on five firm between 1966 and 1972

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