The Eye of the Cyclone at the Fall of the XVIII^th Century:  The Ill-Fated Helvetic Republic (1798-1803)

By Dr. Gabriel Vital-Durand

Geneva: from Independent Republic to Ordinary French City

Northern view of St Peter’s  Cathedral, Geneva

Geneva had been a stronghold on the Rhone River since Roman times, due to its strategic location for hosting a bridge at the end of a large lake. It remained a small city during the Middle-Ages, with merchants challenging the power of its bishop to introduce political and financial franchises similar to those granted to many bourgeoisies across Europe at the time. The Cantons of Berne and Fribourg had commited their support as early as 1526 (Combourgeoisie Treaty). During the XVIII^th Century however, these democratic achievements had been largely neutralised by a small number of prominent families willing to keep power to themselves. At the same time, political protests had become vocal and some street demonstrations had been suppressed with the help of the neighbouring powers of France and Savoy (1792). Many citizens of Geneva were proud of their Huguenot ancestors, while at the same time making a good living out of trading with France and lending large chunks of money to its government heavily engaged in the American Revolution.

The 1^st Coalition of European powers had been formed in 1792 as a result of the aggressive posture of the French government, still formally a kingdom at the time. The Duke of Savoy had joined the alliance and most political observers were convinced that the French government would not be up to the challenge posed by the formidable alliance of a dozen leading powers never before united (United Kingdom, Spain, Prussia, Austria, Savoy, Naples, and others).
 

View of XVIIIth Century Geneva

Contrary to all expectations, the revolutionary government did measure up and called citizens to the defence of their homeland. They responded in numbers (“Levée en masse”) and caused the retreat of the German army in Champagne and Rhineland, thanks to the action of Generals Kellermann and Custine (1792 – 93). Another French army under command of General de Montesquiou invaded the Dukedom of Savoy, so that the western part of it was annexed by the French Republic in 1792. Rulers of the Republic of Geneva were soon to realise that their sheer existence was at risk, and they introduced a number of democratic changes in order to mimic the French model (late 1792).

Some years later, the French Republic was facing a new alliance (2^nd Coalition) and would not resist the temptation of invading Geneva for good (15 April, 1798). The once proud city-state was now reduced to the status of an ordinary French city at the head of a newly formed Département (Léman by name). In contrast to the previous elimination of any Catholic representation in Geneva, the new power, although formally secular, did impose recognition of both the Catholic and the Jewish faiths and their regular celebrations. Nevertheless the so-called bishop of Geneva who had resided in neighbouring Annecy for some 250 years wisely did not attempt at coming back to celebrate in the former cathedral.

Placed on the Napoleon Series: January 2004

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