Chapter 2175： 4 French cantons in western Switzerland

Geneva is very small, and the entire Geneva State is less than 300 square kilometers, which is the area of ​​a larger town in China. But Geneva is a strategic point, and it is an important transportation link between Switzerland and France.

If the French control Geneva, the political influence far outweighs the benefits. Because it means that the French strongly support the Swiss Resistance Army. No, the Swiss Resistance Army in Berne heard that the French were going to end in person. They cheered and their morale boosted.

On the side of the Habsburg family, His Majesty the Emperor was a little frustrated. His Majesty the Emperor ordered Franche Comté's garrison to move quickly south into Geneva, but it was too late. Because, after the French issued an "invitation" in Geneva, they immediately sent a pioneer force of three thousand people to Geneva. Franche Comté's garrison was only four thousand men, and he did not dare to attack by force.

Subsequently, Maximilian I issued a strong protest against the Kingdom of France in the name of the Holy Roman Emperor. But then on the German side, the operation of the princes made His Majesty the emperor vomit blood-the princes who were still in Worms to discuss countermeasures jointly issued a statement confirming that the Geneva area did not belong to the Habsburg family...

However, in the statement, Frederick III also stated on behalf of the princes that Japan and the outside world indeed belong to the territory of the Shenluo, not to the Kingdom of France. Therefore, it is hoped that the Kingdom of France can withdraw from the area after the war is over.

Francois I didn't care about the ownership of the small Geneva area. On the advice of John Lafite, Francois I declared that France's move was not to annex Geneva, but to protect the safety of local citizens. If the Swiss war ends, the French army will naturally retreat.

But, how can the war in Switzerland end easily? The French army occupies Geneva and continuously supports the Swiss Resistance Army in terms of energy. Even if the western states such as Berne fall into the hands of the Habsburgs, the remnants of the Swiss Resistance Army can retreat to Geneva, rest and fight again. So, this thing is endless. As for the French army, there is no possibility of evacuation in a short time...

"That's amazing! I didn't expect that there are experts in France! How could we not expect the issue of the historical ownership of Geneva..." Duke Anthony of Lorraine said excitedly in the city of Worms.

They had been arguing with the Habsburgs about the legal principles of ownership of the entire western Switzerland, but they had not noticed that this small piece of Geneva canton has never belonged to the Habsburgs. The Frenchman caught the Habsburgs by surprise. Moreover, it also provides a stable supply channel and safe haven for the Swiss Resistance Army. Even if they are defeated, the Swiss Resistance Army can retreat to Geneva to protect their lives and rest, but the Habsburgs have no alternative.

His Majesty the Emperor wanted to drive out the French army on behalf of the Holy Roman Empire, but the Imperial Assembly did not give face to him, and opposed him. Then, this thing can't go on...

…

In fact, in addition to the Geneva area, the canton of Vaud with Lausanne as its capital next to Geneva, like Geneva, did not originally belong to the Habsburg family. Even the canton of Vaud, like the canton of Geneva, was originally ruled by the Duke of Savoy. However, like the Canton of Geneva, the administration was redeemed with money. Now it belongs to an autonomous region. The nominal manager is the Bishop of Lausanne, but the local oligarchs dominate the parliament. Of course, the Bishop of Lausanne also has the right to speak.

Originally in history, the canton of Bern would send troops to occupy the canton of Vaud in 1536 and ruled until 1798. But the problem is that the canton of Vaud, like the canton of Geneva, is a French-speaking region, which is a bit out of tune with a German-speaking state like Bern. Therefore, after 1798, the canton of Vaud regained its autonomy and broke away from the control of the canton of Bern, but did not leave Switzerland.

The canton of Vaud has a large area of ​​more than 3,200 square kilometers, which is more than ten times the size of the Canton of Geneva. However, the Canton of Vaud is actually not a pure French-speaking area, and there is a large German-speaking population.

It was not until the "Huguenot War" broke out in France in the mid to late 16th century that a large number of Huguenot French Protestants hid in the western canton of Switzerland because of their defeat, and the French-speaking population of Vaud began to occupy an absolute advantage.

At present, although the German-speaking population of Vaud is not as large as the French-speaking population, it also accounts for a high proportion. Before the influx of French Protestants, the German-speaking population still had a great say in the canton of Vaud. In fact, Berne annexed Vaud in 1536 as an excuse to protect the German-speaking community in Vaud.

Therefore, the Canton of Vaud is currently a sensitive area, more sensitive than the Canton of Geneva. Because this involves conflicts between the French-speaking community and the German-speaking community.

Even if it is as strong as France, he is unwilling to take it lightly to avoid arousing the overall resentment of the Swiss and even fall into the Habsburg family camp. Therefore, the French have no pressure on the Canton of Geneva, where the French-speaking population is overwhelmingly dominant. Regarding the Canton of Vaud, it is cautious.

However, after entering Geneva, the French army also provided a large number of weapons, armor, and even firearms to the French-speaking group in Vaud, encouraging them to protect themselves against the Habsburg family.

In fact, the name supports the French-speaking group against the Habsburgs. But everyone knows that once the French-speaking group in Vaud has a large number of weapons and armors, but the German-speaking group does not, there will be a gap in the voice of the two groups in the future. The French-speaking group has a dominant population in the Vaud Canton, and then has a strong military force. Vaud will definitely be the world of the French-speaking group in the future.

…

In addition, in addition to the French-speaking population in the Canton of Vaud, two other regions in western Switzerland are French-speaking regions, namely the Canton of Fribourg and the Canton of Neuchâtel. As for the Jura, another French-speaking state in the future, it is still part of Berne, and the French-speaking population is not dominant.

In other words, there are currently four main French-speaking regions in western Switzerland, namely-Geneva, Vaud, Fribourg and Neuchâtel.

However, the cantons of Fribourg and Vaud are in fact only French-speaking populations dominant, and they are not entirely French-speaking regions. Even the advantage of the French-speaking population in the canton of Fribourg is very small. Only the cantons of Geneva and Neuchâtel are currently dominated by French-speaking communities.

But the situation in the Canton of Neuchâtel is very special. It is not yet a Swiss canton, but an independent vassal state, but it has a very close relationship with the Swiss alliance.

In other words, this war has nothing to do with Neuchâtel. No, it should be called Neuchâtel now. Later, the Bernese Congress was upgraded to a principality and joined Switzerland. But now, this country is just a kingdom of Shenra princes located in the French-speaking region. Even if His Majesty the Emperor attacked western Switzerland, he would not annex Nazjatarb. For one thing, the Nazjatarb State does not belong to the anti-Habsburg Swiss alliance; secondly, the emperor cannot act on the vassal states with lords.

The situation is quite different in the cantons of Vaud and Fribourg. The Canton of Fribourg joined the Swiss League in 1481 and was a member of the Anti-Habsburg League, and it was also a target that the emperor had to fight against.

In Vaud, it is very complicated. Because it currently does not belong to the Swiss League, but is under the rule of the offshoot of the Savoy family. Of course, only in name. Because, the Canton of Bern carried out a lot of infiltration and control of the Vaud, and completely controlled the canton in 1536 until 1798.

Therefore, if the emperor sent troops to western Switzerland, he would not be able to annex all of it. Because Neuchâtel can't move. The cantons of Geneva and Vaud cannot just be annexed.

But the geographical location of the Canton of Geneva is too important. As long as the Habsburgs send troops to occupy here from Franche Comté in the north, they can cut off the French aid route. Therefore, whether it is the Habsburg family or France, they will want to control this place. Of course, the French have a greater advantage. After all, the French are closer here. Moreover, Geneva is still a French-speaking area and more agrees with France.

But Vaud, this area is still nominally controlled by the side branch of the Duchy of Savoy, and historically has nothing to do with the Habsburg family.

Therefore, even if His Majesty sends troops, he can occupy the canton of Fribourg, which has joined the Swiss League, but cannot easily occupy the canton of Vaud.

For this reason, the French court has formulated a strategic policy of “if Zieg’s Swiss Resistance Army is defeated, it will retreat into the Canton of Vaud to continue its resistance. As for France, it will import personnel and materials from Geneva for support”. In short, the Habsburgs must not be allowed to easily annex western Switzerland. Even if you swallow it, let it never rest...

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