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1. In an attempt to distract you while distracting you not at all on #Elections2020 
, let me tell you about the etymology of the word 'putsch'.
Spoiler: it's also my favourite story about #Switzerland.
"uh, Switzerland?" you say?
, let me tell you about the etymology of the word 'putsch'.Spoiler: it's also my favourite story about #Switzerland.
"uh, Switzerland?" you say?
2. YES. The word Putsch comes from #SWITZERLAND of all places!
And where in Switzerland..?
#Zuerich.
It's actually Züritüütsch.
What the heck is this about?
And where in Switzerland..?
#Zuerich.
It's actually Züritüütsch.
What the heck is this about?
3. In 1839, the government of @stadtzuerich was getting quite liberal.
And I mean it: popular sovereignty, freedom of the press, of belief, secularization of schools...
This was going a wee bit too far for some in the countryside, but what really made all hell break lose was..
And I mean it: popular sovereignty, freedom of the press, of belief, secularization of schools...
This was going a wee bit too far for some in the countryside, but what really made all hell break lose was..
4. ...when the university @UZH_en appointed a new guy to the faculty of theology!
David Strauss, whose thing was to study Jesus as a historical, not divine, figure.
TERRIBLE FOR OUR COUNTRY
TREMEDOUZLY OUTRAGEOUZ
David Strauss, whose thing was to study Jesus as a historical, not divine, figure.
TERRIBLE FOR OUR COUNTRY
TREMEDOUZLY OUTRAGEOUZ
5. This was too much for the pastor of Pfäffikon, who galvanized 2000 dudes from the area to march upon Zürich to the cry of "Forward, he who is a good Christian!" and restore order to this Satan-worshipping mess (haven't heard of pedopornography but wouldn't be surprised).
6. The righteous Christians took a break a bit before Zürich. By that time, the city had sent emissaries to negociate. The leaders of the putsch asked for a petition to be handed to the authorities. Apparently they also demanded lunch, which I assume they got (not sure).
7. Anyway, not sure what happened to the petition, but the several thousands of putschists grew fidgety waiting in god-knows-what-was-this-little-town, and eventually stormed into Zürich and fought the cantonal troops.
Look at all this violence! It got really bloody.
Look at all this violence! It got really bloody.
8. Enters Johannes Hegetschweiler, mild-mannered botanist & politician. A moderate, he was against the nomination of Strauss because he thought it would create trouble & he didn't like trouble. It created trouble. He wanted to resign. But 1st he went to deliver a ceasefire order.
9. Sadly for our mild-mannered botanical politician, and all those eagerly awaiting the new edition of Flora Helvetica, he got shot in the head while delivering his ceasefire order, and died.
At that point, the liberal government were not exactly feeling like heros.
At that point, the liberal government were not exactly feeling like heros.
10. The liberal Govt freaked out and dissolved. Paul Ziegler, this martial-looking fellow, was in charge of the city militia at the time & had been asked by the govt to intervene and stop the putschists, which he kinda... didn't.
A conservative, he rather decided to take over.
A conservative, he rather decided to take over.
11. He took over in a Swiss way though, as he kept some guys from the old liberal government in his new conservative government.
The rest of the country did try to do something about this coup, but also did it in a Swiss way, as they were too divided themselves so did nothing.
The rest of the country did try to do something about this coup, but also did it in a Swiss way, as they were too divided themselves so did nothing.
12. Anyway, the new conservative Govt decided that from now on it should not consist of "scientifically educated" men, but of "godly" men.
They also unconstitutionally filled all important positions with new, reactionary heads.
Reminds me of something, but not sure of what.
They also unconstitutionally filled all important positions with new, reactionary heads.
Reminds me of something, but not sure of what.
13. But this didn't last long: only 6 years later, the liberals took power again and all was well.
I mean, 6 years would have been long if they had had an accelerating climate disaster on their hands, right, but back in the 19th c. men (=people) had all the time in the world.
I mean, 6 years would have been long if they had had an accelerating climate disaster on their hands, right, but back in the 19th c. men (=people) had all the time in the world.
14. Now is time to close this bed time story.
I'll say 4 things.
First, all my thoughts tonight are with my American friends, and all of us on Earth, really.
I'll say 4 things.
First, all my thoughts tonight are with my American friends, and all of us on Earth, really.
15.
Second, never give up on democracy. And if you think the democracy where you live is better than in the US: perhaps, but look again. Is it solving the climate crisis?
If you live in Switzerland, please follow
, and let's have #CitizensAssemblies https://twitter.com/CitizensXrCH/status/1317924916017188866
Second, never give up on democracy. And if you think the democracy where you live is better than in the US: perhaps, but look again. Is it solving the climate crisis?
If you live in Switzerland, please follow
, and let's have #CitizensAssemblies https://twitter.com/CitizensXrCH/status/1317924916017188866
16. Third, disclaimer: I'm not a historian, I study bug sex and things. This thread is mainly ripped from wikipedia.
I first learnt about the Züriputsch when I googled "Suisse + révolution" a few years ago, trying to find ways to fit in this culture so bizarre to lil' French me.
I first learnt about the Züriputsch when I googled "Suisse + révolution" a few years ago, trying to find ways to fit in this culture so bizarre to lil' French me.
17. Finally, lemme close with a quote from Victor Hugo, in Basel when it happened.
"Tomorrow, at 5 in the morning, I'm leaving for Zürich, where a little thing broke out, that they call here a revolution. Had I but a storm over the lake and the spectacle will be complete."
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"Tomorrow, at 5 in the morning, I'm leaving for Zürich, where a little thing broke out, that they call here a revolution. Had I but a storm over the lake and the spectacle will be complete."
\\end
