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S'està carregant… A Very Civil War: The Swiss Sonderbund War of 1847de Joachim Remak
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A Very Civil War is the first complete account of the important but much neglected story of Switzerlands civil war of 1847. Fought over issues similar to those of the American Civil War, the comparative civility of the Swiss warthere were fewer than one hundred casualtiesis remarkable. Indeed, a war that might have destroyed Swiss union instead contributed to a sense of cohesion and established a firm foundation for modern Swiss society. A Very Civil War is the dramatic but little-known story of Switzerlands civil war of 1847, the Sonderbundskrieg. This conflict, as much as any other single event, inspired the revolutionaries of 1848 to action. As the German poet Ferdinand Freiligrath wrote at the time: In the highlands was the first shot fired./What now, we still are waiting./But I know that there will be/A new burst of liberty. Remaks is the first complete account of an important but much neglected turning point in Swiss and in European history. What will be most striking to American readers of Remaks lucid account are the similarities to and the contrasts with our own Civil War. Each war was crucial to its nations subsequent history, and both in essence were fought over the same issuesfederal power versus states rights, the preservation of the Union, and the defense of certain ways of life. Yet Switzerlands was a war that, unlike its American counterpart, was fought with a minimum of violence. The war that might have destroyed Swiss union instead contributed to a sense of cohesion and established a firm foundation for modern Swiss society.The Swiss Civil War settled the great issues of nationhood at a cost of fewer than a hundred dead and lasted less than three weeks. There was no implacable Swiss Sherman, bent on the utter destruction of the enemy. Instead, General Guillaume Henri Dufour, commander in chief of the Federal Forces, chose to outmaneuver his opponents rather than outfight them. The Sonderbund War was also notable for the constant regard shown by the armies on both sides for the rights of noncombatants (General Dufour went on to help found the International Red Cross), and the conflict was followed by quick, genuine, and lasting reconciliation.This lavishly illustrated book, the first account in English of this very civil war, is based on Professor Remaks extensive, original research in Swiss archives. No s'han trobat descripcions de biblioteca. |
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Google Books — S'està carregant… GèneresClassificació Decimal de Dewey (DDC)949.406History and Geography Europe Other parts Switzerland 19th century 1815-1900LCC (Clas. Bibl. Congrés EUA)ValoracióMitjana:
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The big difference between the two wars was due to the strategic insight of the Swiss commander, Henri Dufour. He made certain to have an overwhelming advantage in the size of his army and he kept it concentrated. Given the huge disparity in force, his adversaries accepted that resistance would be futile. Lincoln, however, only called for 75,000 volunteers, a number easily matched by the Southerners. If he had called on 300,000 and then marched 200,000 of them to Richmond, the Anaconda might have strangulated the traitors earlier. Dufour also understood the element of "with malice toward none", preventing most of the bloodshed and tragedies of war. The display of power (carrying a big stick) and not using it, offering an open hand to the errant sons helped forge a national unity which did not exist beforehand in Switzerland. The hard hand of war of the US Federal forces only split the country further. Unfortunately, the US officers were too preoccupied with the Mexican–American War to learn from the Swiss example.
A great book about a small war which exactly because of its bloodlessness deserves to be studied. The opposite of shock and awe is a winning strategy. Unfortunately, the book is already out of print. Highly recommended if you manage to find a copy. ( )