The First War of Villmergen (1656) and the Toggenburg War (1712) marked pivotal moments in the continuing religious tensions within the Old Swiss Confederacy. These conflicts arose from the deepening divide between Protestant and Catholic cantons following the Reformation and the power struggles that persisted despite peace agreements like the Second Kappel Landfrieden (1531) and the Third Landfrieden (1656).
First War of Villmergen (1656)
The First War of Villmergen was triggered by the execution of Protestants in the Catholic canton of Schwyz, inflaming tensions with the Protestant cantons of Zürich and Bern. Protestant forces laid siege to Rapperswil and advanced towards the Catholic strongholds in central Switzerland. However, their offensive was halted when the Catholic army, despite being outnumbered, defeated the Bernese at the Battle of Villmergen on January 24, 1656. The Third Landfrieden restored the status quo, confirming Catholic dominance within the Confederacy. This outcome entrenched Catholic political hegemony, which remained intact until the next major conflict in 1712.
Toggenburg War (Second War of Villmergen, 1712)
The tensions reignited in the early 18th century. The conflict began when the prince-abbot of St. Gall attempted to impose stricter Catholic control over the predominantly Protestant population of Toggenburg, causing unrest. Zürich and Bern, supported by other Protestant allies, backed the Toggenburgers against the Catholic abbey and the inner Catholic cantons.
The Toggenburg War escalated into a broader civil conflict between the Protestant and Catholic cantons. The Protestant forces defeated the Catholic army decisively at the Second Battle of Villmergen (1712), solidifying Protestant military dominance. The resulting Peace of Aarau (1712) ended Catholic hegemony in the common territories and established religious parity. Bern and Zürich secured political control over key areas, such as the County of Baden and the Freie Ämter.
While the war ended with the restoration of religious freedoms and a compromise settlement, the conflict cemented the shift in power, giving Protestant cantons greater influence within the Confederacy.