Ticino's Act of Mediation 1803
Heaven forbid - definitely no, otherwise Ticino might have become a part of Italy.
Emperor of France and (lateron also) King of Italy, Napoléon Bonaparte, was smart enough to issue the “Acte de Médiation” on February 19th, 1803 which merged the Canton Bellinzona and Canton Lugano into the new Canton Ticino and followed the people’s wish of the «Liberi e Svizzeri» movement.
This political victory stopped the instability of the Ticino from spearding into his emerging empire (Italy) or weakening Napoléons army.
This “Act of Mediation”, though shortlived until 1815 only, was an transition document to today’s Swiss confederation by replacing the predeceeding Helvetic Republic. The French troops occupied the Ticino oncemore again from 1810 but got booted out, once and for good, in 1813.
Those were the days, wild and savage indeed!
Congratulations to Frederike, Felix & Simone, Greth, Pascal, Sepp and Curdin who all knew the correct answer. A la salute!
