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.

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.