Above all the Swiss story remains one of emancipation. Traditionally, oppression by the land-holding gentry has been cited as a catalyst for rebellion. On the other hand, tensions between the merchants of the large towns such as Zurich, Basel and Geneva and the peasants in the countryside were equally important. Revolts against 'foreign' masters did not play as large a part as often assumed. After all, the Habsburg itself was built in today's canton Aargau, and became incorporated into the Confederacy by 1415. In many ways the country's geography has made Switzerland unique. Swiss geologists and engineers have devised a model of a public transportation system, overcoming incredible odds and challenges due to mountains, risk of erosion and avalanches, meandering waterways and thick forests. Politically the country has become the world's foremost direct democracy, where enough signatures for a petition automatically trigger a referendum. A Short History of Switzerland attempts to capture the essence of the little country that could, from the perspective of someone who grew up there and went through the country's school system. This short book makes the Swiss story accessible to readers with fluency in English. At the same time, the narrative does not shy away from controversial topics, including the war time experience or drug addiction problems. The work consists of six parts: 1.Before Homo Sapiens 2.The five periods of settlement and civilization 3.Language groups 4.Swiss accomplishments 5.Notable Swiss citizens 6.Conclusion No history written in the 21st century can be complete without examining the natural environment. Swiss civilization in the modern sense began with the Iron Age around 800 BC. Periods of foreign occupation followed before representatives from Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden concluded their eternal allegiance. Five hundred years of Swiss Confederacy followed, the most successful ever. The mountainous terrain made it possible to defend independence without central government. The Austrian and French monarchies officially recognized the Confederacy's sovereignty in 1648. Napoleon I's brief occupation in 1798 left a lasting legacy: federalism, which replaced the old Confederacy for good by 1848. The concept of armed neutrality has kept the country out of two world wars. Since 1945 the country has enjoyed nearly unparalleled prosperity, becoming the world's chocolate producer, watchmaker, and banker. Switzerland is also the home of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies and food producers. In 2002 the Swiss finally joined the UN, after decades of harboring UN offices in Geneva. It is an exciting story.