Sonderbund War: Dufour's Federal Army defeats the seven Catholic cantons

Background. The war arose from tensions between the liberal majority in the Federal Diet and conservative Catholic cantons. The Sonderbund, formed in 1845 by seven predominantly Catholic cantons, sought to protect their interests against centralization. The Federal Diet declared the alliance unconstitutional in October 1847, ordering its dissolution by force, which triggered the military campaign.

Leadership. General Guillaume Henri Dufour was appointed commander-in-chief of the federal army on October 21, 1847, despite his reluctance and political pressure to appoint Ulrich Ochsenbein. The Sonderbund forces were led by Colonel Jean-Ulrich de Salis-Soglio, who was sworn in as commander-in-chief in January 1847. Dufour's approach emphasized minimizing casualties and fostering reconciliation.

Operations. The campaign lasted only a few weeks, from November 3 to November 29, 1847. Federal forces, numbering 100,000, defeated the Sonderbund cantons. Key actions included the destruction of a bridge over the Reuss and the dissolution of the Sonderbund council in Flüelen on November 26. The war resulted in approximately 100 deaths, significantly lower than typical conflicts of the era.

Aftermath. The war's conclusion facilitated the transition to a federal state. By February 1848, federal troops withdrew from occupied cantons. The new Swiss Federal Constitution of 1848 ended the cantons' near-complete independence, transforming Switzerland into a federal state. Dufour's mindful approach during the war created a basis for this political reconciliation.