Measurement Act of 1803.
The Mediation Act (Act of Mediation in French) was proclaimed by Napoleon Bonaparte on February 19, 1803, creating the Swiss Confederation. The Act also abolished the previous Helvetic Republic that had existed since the invasion of French troops in 1798. After the capitulation of the French troops in July 1802, the republic collapsed into a civil war.
The Mediation Act was Napoleon's attempt to commit himself to the Swiss. Federalism was restored and the 13 cantons recovered their identity, creating another 6. The Confederation had the competence in foreign policy and the army would be composed of contingents contributed by the cantons. The abolition of internal customs was not altered. The Act expressly stated that there would be no countries subject, or birth privileges, personal or family.
The Mediation Act wanted to be a balanced compromise. But Switzerland was still a vassal state of Napoleonic France. The Act was drafted "on behalf of the French people."
This stage of Swiss history lasted until the country's restoration in 1815. Bibliography
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