Die Republik auf dem Dorf: Republikanische Erfahrung, Antiklerikalismus und Radikalismus im Entremont (VS), 1789-1870

Abstract

This paper analyses the deep and long lasting consequences of the Helvetic Republic (1798-1803) in several villages of the Entremont, an Alpine region in the Swiss Canton of Valais, where we can rely on excellent sources on local families and on sharp political conflicts. The micro-historical approach highlights the relations between the republican experience and the formation of a strong radical and anticlerical movement during the 19th century. In fact the majority of radical activist was issued from the same families which had taken over the local leadership during the republican era. Moreover, since the late 18th century the opposite factions were characterized by different sexual attitudes and behaviour patterns: in the deep catholic canton of Valais, families out of the radical milieus had in the 19th century significant more illicit sexual relations than conservative groups. From this point of view, the building of different political and religious milieus, linked with the diversification of sexual and religious cultures, since the republican period seems to be a crucial phenomenon to understand political evolutions in 19th century Switzerland