Swiss history: The country was once so poor, people had to go abroad to survive
It may be hard to believe, but there was a time when tens of thousands of Switzerland’s citizens emigrated to escape a life of poverty.
Switzerland, today one of the world's wealthiest nations, wasn’t always so affluent.
In centuries past, a large portion of the population in this landlocked, mountainous country with no natural resources, struggled to survive. This was especially true of rural areas, where people remained poverty-stricken well into the 19th century.
Even as urban dwellers started to benefit from the economy-transforming industrialisation, those living in the countryside or in Alpine regions suffered from widespread famine, prompting many of them to seek their fortunes overseas — primarily in South and North America.
Immigrants from certain cantons went on to establish ‘colonies’ in their new countries of residence, such as Novo Friburgo in Brazil and New Glarus in the Unites States.
Many of those who did not go abroad moved from rural areas to the cities, where they continued to live in precarious conditions.
According to an official government document, “Anyone who was not a citizen of a commune was homeless and lived on the margins of the community or was left to wander the country as a vagrant”.
So how did Switzerland morph from a poor nation to an affluent one it is today? And how did it become a country of immigrants rather than emigrants?
Its rags-to-riches story has roots in the economic boom of the late 19th century, which would continue into the 20th century — and beyond.
READ MORE: Why is Switzerland so expensive?
In the 1950s, Switzerland shifted from industrial to a service economy; its financial sector started to flourish by offering confidential — and not always totally legal — services and protection to the wealthy. (However, new laws have been enacted in past years, making Swiss financial institutions more transparent and compliant with international regulations).
But its success story goes far beyond banking.
Other industries, such as pharmaceutical, watchmaking, and tourism, have been growing and boosting the economy.
And let’s not forget direct democracy and political stability, both of which have contributed greatly to transitioning Switzerland from a pauper nation to a very prosperous one.
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Switzerland, today one of the world's wealthiest nations, wasn’t always so affluent.
In centuries past, a large portion of the population in this landlocked, mountainous country with no natural resources, struggled to survive. This was especially true of rural areas, where people remained poverty-stricken well into the 19th century.
Even as urban dwellers started to benefit from the economy-transforming industrialisation, those living in the countryside or in Alpine regions suffered from widespread famine, prompting many of them to seek their fortunes overseas — primarily in South and North America.
Immigrants from certain cantons went on to establish ‘colonies’ in their new countries of residence, such as Novo Friburgo in Brazil and New Glarus in the Unites States.
Many of those who did not go abroad moved from rural areas to the cities, where they continued to live in precarious conditions.
According to an official government document, “Anyone who was not a citizen of a commune was homeless and lived on the margins of the community or was left to wander the country as a vagrant”.
So how did Switzerland morph from a poor nation to an affluent one it is today? And how did it become a country of immigrants rather than emigrants?
Its rags-to-riches story has roots in the economic boom of the late 19th century, which would continue into the 20th century — and beyond.
READ MORE: Why is Switzerland so expensive?
In the 1950s, Switzerland shifted from industrial to a service economy; its financial sector started to flourish by offering confidential — and not always totally legal — services and protection to the wealthy. (However, new laws have been enacted in past years, making Swiss financial institutions more transparent and compliant with international regulations).
But its success story goes far beyond banking.
Other industries, such as pharmaceutical, watchmaking, and tourism, have been growing and boosting the economy.
And let’s not forget direct democracy and political stability, both of which have contributed greatly to transitioning Switzerland from a pauper nation to a very prosperous one.
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