# Resistance in Central Switzerland (2 May 1798)

URL: https://allhistories.com/swiss/timeline/1798-resistance-in-central-switzerland
Themes: Rulers & Successions

In late April 1798 the central cantons of Schwyz, Uri, Zug, Glarus and Nidwalden rejected the Helvetic constitution and took up arms. On 2 May 1798 forces from Schwyz under Alois von Reding fought French troops at Rothenthurm and near Morgarten. Reding's men won local successes, but they were heavily outnumbered and the French were advancing on several fronts. A capitulation on 4 May allowed Schwyz to keep its weapons and its Catholic faith, but forced it to accept the new constitution. Fighting on the ground of the famous 1315 victory at Morgarten stirred patriotic memories, yet it could not stop the French. The rebellious central cantons were merged into a single administrative unit, the canton of Waldstätten.

## Why it matters
The central Swiss resistance revealed deep opposition to the imposed republic and made Reding a leading figure of the federalist cause.

Ruler at the Time: [Helvetic Directory](https://allhistories.com/swiss/rulers/helvetic-directory)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Alois von Reding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alois_von_Reding)
- [Wikipedia — Canton of Schwyz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canton_of_Schwyz)
- [Wikipedia — Helvetic Republic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helvetic_Republic)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Resistance in Central Switzerland](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Resistance+in+Central+Switzerland)
- [Historical Dictionary of Switzerland (HLS) lookup — Resistance in Central Switzerland](https://hls-dhs-dss.ch/en/search/?text=Resistance+in+Central+Switzerland)
- [Wikipedia — History of Switzerland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Switzerland)