The Swiss Reformation

As Lutheranism gained influence in Germany religious leaders in the neighboring country of Switzerland began a reformation of their own. Like Martin Luther, these leaders felt that the Catholic Church had grown corrupt. Unlike Martin Luther, however, these leaders wanted to establish a religious theocracy, or a government, based on their new religion, so that they could rule the lives of their people, and insure that they were keeping the commandments of God.

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The first of these leaders was a man named Huldrych Zwingli. Zwingli established his theocracy in the city of Zurich. His government successfully ruled the city for six years. Then in A.D. 1531 a Catholic army of 8,000 soldiers conquered and overthrew them.