Treaty of Baden (1718)

The Treaty of Baden, signed in Baden, Switzerland on September 7, 1718, formally ended the conflict between the Swiss Confederacy and Spain, arising out of the War of the Spanish Succession. Although Switzerland had declared neutrality during the war, certain cantons, particularly the Protestant ones, had supported the Habsburg cause. This led to border disputes and minor skirmishes with Spanish forces controlling territories adjacent to Swiss lands, especially in what is now northern Italy.

The treaty confirmed Swiss neutrality and restored pre-war boundaries between the Confederacy and Spanish territories. It addressed issues of trade, customs, and navigation, aiming to re-establish peaceful relations. Significantly, the Treaty of Baden recognized Swiss independence from the Holy Roman Empire, reaffirming a status that had been developing for centuries. The treaty thus consolidated Swiss sovereignty and played a role in shaping the modern Swiss state. While often overshadowed by other treaties concluding the War of the Spanish Succession, the Treaty of Baden was important in solidifying Switzerland's position as a neutral and independent entity in Europe.