Project History
A new popular science article by Jan Haugner for the Canton of Obwalden and the State Archive OW is now available online. Titled “Alles in Ordnung? Zustand und Zugänglichkeit des obrigkeitlichen Archivs im frühneuzeitlichen Sarnen”, the article explores the state of the government archive of Obwalden in the second half of the Early Modern Period. It discusses the organization of the archive at the time and the various access restrictions imposed by the authorities.
For those interested in the history of archiving and the handling of state documents in the Early Modern Period, the article can be read here.
Recently, the article “Unbefugte im Kanzleiarchiv: Staatliche Informationskontrolle und ihre Lecks im Luzern des 18. Jahrhunderts” by Jan Haugner was published in the “Jahrbuch der Historischen Gesellschaft Luzern”. The article examines the case of Lucerne chancellery clerk Franz Joseph Felber, who repeatedly mishandled state secrets in the 1750s. His indiscretions ultimately led to his banishment by the Lucerne authorities. Unfortunately, the yearbook is only available in print and not digitally accessible.
Debora Heim and Nadir Weber, together with Christa Schneider, taught a research seminar titled «Bern 1749: Eine geheime Verschwörung als mediales Ereignis» (Bern 1749: a secret conspiracy as a media event) in the fall semester 2024 at the University of Bern. As part of the seminar, students used AI-supported transcription tools to examine handwritten documents on the conspiracy. They focused on actors, whose role had previously been little known and therefore added new perspectives and interpretations to the events of 1749.
The results of the students’ research have now been published online in the form of ten short articles. Click here to explore the website.
Debora Heim has published an article titled Aus dem Arkanum in die Öffentlichkeit. Medien- und Kommunikationspolitik des Berner Geheimen Rats in der «Henzi-Verschwörung» (1749) in the latest issue of xviii.ch – Schweizerische Zeitschrift für die Erforschung des 18. Jahrhunderts. Drawing on previously unknown sources, the article explores the role of secrecy and secret councils during a period of political unrest. By adopting a perspective rooted in communication and media history, it further examines communication and its dynamics between secrecy and publicity in mid-18th century Switzerland. Click here to get to the article.
On November 28-29, Debora Heim participated in the international workshop “Crise et communication dans la période de bouleversements 1785–1820”, organized by the centre de recherche du château de Versailles. The workshop took place in the castle of Versailles, Paris. Debora Heim held a presentation titled “Communication between secret and public spheres. Secret Councils in late 18th-century Switzerland”, where she elaborated on the role of Secret Councils at the end of the ancien régime with a special focus on secret and public forms of communication.
We are delighted to announce the publication of the workshop report. The detailed summary of the workshop “Archival Secrecy in Early Modern Monarchies and Republics”, organized by Jan Haugner and Nadir Weber and held in Bern from September 5–6, 2024, has been published on the H-Soz-Kult website. The report was authored by Nathalie Pfeuffer from Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg and the Staatsarchiv Würzburg. Click here to read the full report.
On November 7–8, 2024, the conference “Memory Institutions and the State. Connecting History, Understanding the Present and Building a Future” took place in Vilnius, hosted by the Martynas Mažvydas National Library of Lithuania. Organized by the library’s Statehood Center, the event marked the institution’s 105th anniversary and brought together an impressive array of scholars. The conference featured numerous panels running in parallel sessions across two venues. As part of this event, Jan Haugner held a presentation titled “’The Soul of the State’: Archives as Sites of Power, Memory and Representation in Early Modern Switzerland”. We are pleased to share that selected papers from the conference, including Jan Haugners, will be published in a special issue of the journal Relevant Tomorrow in 2025. For more information about the conference, visit the official website here.
On September 5 and 6, 2024, researchers convened in Bern for the workshop “Archival Secrecy in Early Modern Monarchies and Republics”. The workshop examined the dynamics of secrecy and access in early modern archives, exploring how these practices shaped political power and public memory.
Discussions addressed topics such as the influence of archival secrecy on historiography, the cognitive aspects of accessing past records, and the role of ecclesiastical and state archives in controlling information. The event concluded with a comparative reflection on the organization of archival secrecy across different political systems.
We thank all participants for their valuable contributions and engaging discussions.
We are pleased to announce the publication of the workshop report. The detailed proceedings of the workshop “Secret Councils: Comparative Perspectives on Monarchies and Republics, c. 1550-1800”, organized by Debora Heim and held in Bern on June 20-21, 2024, have been published online. Click here to read the full report.
Debora Heim and Jan Haugner will together with Prof. Dr. Andreas Würgler (Geneva) host a panel at the upcoming Swiss History Days, which will take place in Lucerne from July 8th until July 11th 2025. The topic will be “(In)visibility of state knowledge in the Old Swiss Confederation”. Scholars whose research is related to this topic can apply for a slot in the panel. Applications are possible until September 30th. To apply please send a suggested title as well as an abstract of no more than 1 500 characters to Jan Haugner or Debora Heim. Further information (in German) about the panel can be found here.
On June 20 and 21, 2024, researchers from various countries gathered in Bern for the workshop “Secret Councils: Comparative Perspectives on Monarchies and Republics, c. 1550-1800”, organized by Debora Heim. The event provided a platform for sharing insights and engaging in stimulating discussions about the political structures and dynamics of monarchies and republics during the early modern period.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants for their valuable contributions and the lively debates that made the workshop a success. Your engagement and expertise were truly appreciated, and we look forward to continuing these important conversations in the future.
In mid-May, Debora Heim and Jan Haugner presented their latest research at a colloquium in Bern, Switzerland. The event was organized by Dr. Andreas Berger, Dr. Sarah Rindlisbacher Thomi, Prof. Dr. Nadir Weber, and Dr. Samuel Weber.
Debora Heim’s presentation, titled “«Ein geheimer Stand-Rhat, dessen man in keiner Republiq entbähren kann»: Geheime Räte und republikanisches Selbstverständnis,” delved into the role of secret councils and their influence on republican identity.
Jan Haugner’s lecture, titled “Orientieren, Legitimieren, Inszenieren. Archive als Speicher von Staatswissen in der Alten Eidgenossenschaft,” explored the role of archival materials in orienting and legitimizing political decisions. He also examined the implications this had for the storage and safeguarding of documents.
Both presentations were well-received, sparking engaging discussions that provided valuable feedback for their ongoing dissertation projects.
We are very proud to announce that Nadir Weber has been appointed as an associate professor of early modern Swiss history by the University of Bern. He will start his new position on February 1st. Where he will also be co-directing the historical institute. Due to this, the project “Republican Secrets” will change its location from the University of Lucern to the University of Bern.
We are delighted to inform you of our newest publication. Debora Heim and Jan Haugner’s joint proceedings article was released in the online proceedings of the 54th German Historian’s Day which was held in Leipzig, Germany from the 19 to 22 September 2023. Click here to get to the article.
At the end of November Debora Heim and Jan Haugner presented new findings from their respective dissertation projects at a research colloquium in Bern (Switzerland). The colloquium was held at the Historical Institute of the University of Bern. It was organized by Dr. Sarah Rindlisbacher, Dr. Samuel Weber, Dr. Christian Windler as well as Dr. Nadir Weber.
Jan Haugner’s presentation thematized accessibility and archival practices of state secrets in the Early Modern Confederacy of Switzerland and was centered around an example in Obwalden. Dobora Heim’s presentation focused on the exchange of information between different “Geheime Räte” (eg. secret councils) in Catholic cities of the early modern Confederacy of Switzerland. Both presentations went well and the ensuing discussion gave them new inputs for their projects.
Debora Heim and Jan Haugner presented their preliminary results at a research colloquium in “Schauinsland” in the heart of the black forest in Germany.
Nadir Weber, Jan Haugner and Debora Heim presented their preliminary results after a year of research at the “Forschungskolloquium” at the University of Lucerne.