Tagsatzung partitions the Canton of Basel

Background. Basel existed as a unified canton from 1501 until 1830, with citizens from the city and countryside sharing the Kantonsparlament. Political quarrels and armed conflict emerged after 1830, leading to unrest in the countryside. The city occupied Liestal in January 1831, driving out a new government, and tensions persisted into 1832 with injustices committed by both sides.

Armed Conflict. On 3 August 1833, over 1200 city troops armed with 14 cannons marched on Liestal. At the Battle of Hülftenschanz, located between Pratteln and Frenkendorf, the city's forces were forced back to Basel by the superior numbers of the rebels. This military defeat precipitated the political intervention by the highest Swiss authority.

Tagsatzung Decision. Following the conflict, the Tagsatzung was petitioned on 17 August 1833 to separate the canton. Nine days later, on 26 August 1833, the partition was effected. The Tagsatzung, the legislative and executive council of the Old Swiss Confederacy, modeled the split on the precedent of Unterwalden and Appenzell, creating two half-cantons.

Territorial Arrangement. The partition allocated only Riehen, Bettingen, and Kleinhüningen to the new half-canton of Basel-City. These municipalities would otherwise have been an exclave of Basel-Country between Basel-City and the Grand Duchy of Baden. The remaining municipalities formed the new canton of Basel-Country, which is traditionally considered a half-canton.