Politics Archive – Swiss National Museum

21. February 2020

Modern Age | Politics

Johann Rudolf Schmid von Schwarzenhorn – a Swiss gentleman at the Sultan’s court

While the 16th and 17th-century ‘fear of the Turks’ is still present in the collective consciousness of Central Europe, very few people are aware that there are also numerous examples of a lively cultural exchange during the same period. Right in the thick of it was a Swiss man, Johann Rudolf Schmid von Schwarzenhorn, born in 1590 in Stein am Rhein.

14. February 2020

20th / 21st century | Politics

de en fr

The cipher machine Enigma and Switzerland

by Dominik Landwehr

In the Second World War, British specialists cracked almost every code – including that of the German cipher machine Enigma. Switzerland also used such machines.

12. February 2020

20th / 21st century | War/battle

de en fr

Project 26

by Claudia Moritzi

In 1990, P-26 was uncovered. The mission of this clandestine cadre organisation was to whip up, strengthen and maintain the public’s spirit of resistance in the event of Switzerland being occupied.

5. February 2020

20th / 21st century | War/battle

de en fr

Sirens, compressed air and spine-chilling howls

by Juri Jaquemet

Sirens wailing!? A worried glance at the clock. 1:30 p.m. precisely. Aha – siren test! Switzerland’s annual siren test takes place on the first Wednesday in February. But how long have we had sirens in Switzerland anyway, and what’s the history of this hair-raising means of communication?