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| 1855 |
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| First academic year began for the federal school of technology, which provided essential training for the advancement of Swiss industry. The government guaranteed the teachers freedom in their teaching and made certain that all three languages spoken in Switzerland would be represented. It marked a departure from the many problems encountered in efforts to establish a federal university in the midst of differences of religion. | 1 |
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| 1856–57 |
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| The Neuchâtel problem. The royalists seized control of the castle and other territory in the canton of Neuchâtel, seeking to declare a monarchy. The canton had become a republic in 1848, but it was also subject to the sovereignty of the king of Prussia, who threatened to intervene when the canton's militia retook the castle. Napoleon III managed to avert a war between Switzerland and Prussia. In May 1857, the king relinquished his rights in return for a money payment, which he later renounced. | 2 |
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| 1865, Oct |
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| Revision of the constitution was begun, but burgesses rejected most of the provisions in 1866. | 3 |
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| 1866 |
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| Jews gained equal rights in regard to movement and settlement for both religious and commercial purposes. | 4 |
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| July |
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| The Federal Council outlawed export of weapons and war materials. | 5 |
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