1867 An international congress of workmen is held at Lausanne.
1869 The construction of the St. Gotthard tunnel is decided upon.
1871 Switzerland shelters French refugees of the Franco-German War though insisting on the maintenance of neutrality. The growth in power of the “old Catholics” causes disturbances in western Switzerland (the struggle against Ultramontanism). The Alabama Arbitration Commission meets in Geneva.
1872 An attempt at revision of the constitution is defeated by a small majority.
1873 Abbé Mermillod, appointed by the pope “apostolic vicar” of Geneva, is banished from Switzerland. The see of Bishop Lachat of Bâle is suppressed by several cantons because he upholds the doctrine of papal infallibility.
Switzerland under the Constitution of 1874
1874 A new constitution, a revision of that of 1848, is accepted by the people. The referendum hereby becomes a part of the machinery of the federal government as it had already been part of that of most of the cantons. The new constitution increases centralisation in the government. The international postal congress meets at Bern and lays the foundation for the international postal union.
1876 Religious and political differences cause an armed encounter in Ticino.
1877 A law regulating the working hours in factories is passed, marking an advance in labour legislation.
1878 James Fazy, noted statesman, dies.