Aargau
The Helvetians, a Celtic tribe, controlled the region that is now Aargau as far back as 200 BC. They lived in a landscape defined by the lower course of the Aare River. This river gave the area its name, translating to "Aare province" or Aar-gau. The Romans eventually occupied this territory and established a major settlement called Vindonissa near present-day Brugg. Archaeological evidence shows the ruins of this Roman town still exist today. The Franks took control of the land by the 6th century. This early history set the stage for centuries of shifting power dynamics between empires and local rulers.
Most of the region came under the control of the Habsburg dynasty by about 1200. Habsburg Castle itself served as the original seat of the House of Habsburg until April 1415. In that month, Bern seized the castle during the conquest of Aargau. The Swiss Confederation used an Imperial ban on Frederick IV of Habsburg as a pretext to invade. They quickly conquered towns including Aarau, Lenzburg, Brugg, and Zofingen. The Pope had ordered all taken lands returned after reconciling with the Duke. The Swiss refused to return the territory years later. The Habsburgs officially relinquished their rights to the Swiss Confederacy in the aftermath of these events.
Bern kept the southwest portion of the conquered territory known as Unteraargau or Bernese Aargau. This area included seven rural bailiwicks and four administrative cities. Bern converted to Protestantism in 1528, causing the Unteraargau to convert as well. Anabaptists migrated into the upper Wynen and Rueder valleys from Zürich at the beginning of the 16th century. Despite pressure from authorities, this religious group never entirely disappeared from the region. The Freie Ämter became the staging ground for warring Reformed and Catholic armies during the First War of Villmergen in 1656. The Second War of Villmergen occurred in 1712 and resulted in a reorganization of power relations between the cantons.
The contemporary canton of Aargau was formed in 1803 through the Act of Mediation. It combined three short-lived cantons created during the Helvetic Republic: Aargau, Baden, and Fricktal. French forces occupied the region from the 10th of March to the 18th of April 1798 before the Bernese portion became its own canton. Aborted plans to merge the two halves came in 1801 and 1802. They were eventually united under the name Aargau following the Act of Mediation. In 2003, the canton celebrated its 200th anniversary. Parts of the former County of Baden transferred to other cantons like Lucerne and Zürich while Hüttikon and Oetwil an der Limmat went to Zürich. The Fricktal was incorporated into Aargau on the 19th of March 1803 after being ceded by Austria via Napoleonic France.
In 1774, Jews were restricted to just two towns called Endingen and Lengnau within Aargau. They faced special taxes on peddling and cattle trading which were their primary professions. From 1696, they were compelled to renew a letter of protection every 16 years. In 1712, the Lengnau community was pillaged during times of unrest. An exorbitant tax was levied on marriage licenses often resulting in outright refusal for couples. On the 5th of May 1809, they were declared citizens with broad rights regarding trade and farming. Their right to move freely within the canton was granted on the 7th of May 1846. Full political rights came from the Swiss Federal Council on the 24th of September 1856. However, full citizenship rights for members of these communities were not secured until the 15th of May 1877 when the Grand Council passed a resolution granting charters under the names New Endingen and New Lengnau.
Three of Switzerland's five nuclear power plants are located in the canton including Beznau I plus II and Leibstadt. The many rivers supply enough water for numerous hydroelectric power plants throughout the region. This energy production has led to the canton being called "the energy canton". The surface of the country is diversified with undulating tracts and well-wooded hills alternating with fertile valleys. Slightly over one-third of the canton is wooded while nearly half is used for farming. The total area contains two large rivers named Aare and Reuss alongside the Rhine which forms the border with Germany. Hot sulphur springs exist at Baden and Schinznach-Bad while extensive saline springs are found at Rheinfelden.
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Common questions
When did the Helvetians control the region that is now Aargau?
The Helvetians controlled the region as far back as 200 BC. They lived in a landscape defined by the lower course of the Aare River which gave the area its name.
What happened to Habsburg Castle in April 1415 during the conquest of Aargau?
Bern seized Habsburg Castle in April 1415 during the conquest of Aargau. The Swiss Confederation used an Imperial ban on Frederick IV of Habsburg as a pretext to invade and quickly conquered towns including Aarau, Lenzburg, Brugg, and Zofingen.
How was the contemporary canton of Aargau formed in 1803 through the Act of Mediation?
The contemporary canton of Aargau was formed in 1803 through the Act of Mediation. It combined three short-lived cantons created during the Helvetic Republic: Aargau, Baden, and Fricktal.
On what date were Jews declared citizens with broad rights regarding trade and farming in Aargau?
Jews were declared citizens with broad rights regarding trade and farming on the 5th of May 1809. Their right to move freely within the canton was granted on the 7th of May 1846 and full political rights came from the Swiss Federal Council on the 24th of September 1856.
Which nuclear power plants are located in the canton of Aargau?
Three of Switzerland's five nuclear power plants are located in the canton including Beznau I plus II and Leibstadt. The many rivers supply enough water for numerous hydroelectric power plants throughout the region which has led to the canton being called the energy canton.