The world in 1900 – the year the SIA was founded
When representatives of Switzerland's major insurance companies met in Olten 125 years ago to found the "Verband Concessionierter Schweizerischer Versicherungsgesellschaften", the world looked rather different. The "Schweizerische Centralbahn", in whose boardroom the SIA's founding fathers met, was still in private hands at the time and would only become part of the Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) two years later. The following article explains what else occupied people's minds at the time and what else was going on in the world.
At the end of the 19th century, European imperialism reached its peak. The five major European powers - the German Empire, France, Britain, Austria-Hungary and the Russian Empire - dominated the geopolitical stage and kept each other in check through a complex system of alliances. The British Empire, under Queen Victoria, stretched across six continents, but was challenged during the Second Boer War in South Africa, where the Swiss Red Cross provided its first services abroad. The German Empire strengthened its imperial ambitions with the adoption of the Second Naval Act, but this also intensified the Anglo-German rivalry that would erupt 14 years later in the First World War. In Austria-Hungary, Archduke Franz Ferdinand married Countess Sophie. Both were assassinated in Sarajevo 14 years later. Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov - better known as Lenin - left the Russian Empire and went into exile in Western Europe, spending time in Switzerland. In China, the Boxer Rebellion broke out as the Chinese people expressed their displeasure with the growing influence of the European powers. The Boxers' violence against Christian missionaries and European delegations prompted an international military intervention.
Figure 1: Pavillons étrangers at the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris (ETH-Bibliothek Zürich, Alte und Seltene Drucke)
Culture
In 1900, France hosted its fifth World's Fair. Some 48 million visitors flocked to Paris between April and November to see innovations and products from all over the world. Highlights included the first prototype of the escalator and the first line of the Paris Metro. The second edition of the modern Olympic Games was also part of the World's Fair. In addition to classic disciplines such as athletics, rowing and fencing, athletes competed in tug-of-war, croquet and the traditional Basque game of pelota. Swiss marksman Konrad Stäheli won three gold medals and a bronze, making him the second most successful athlete at the games.
Research & Technology
The Austrian serologist Karl Landsteiner was the first to classify human blood into three different blood groups: A, B and C (now 0). He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1930. The German physicist Max Planck presented his research on quantum theory, laying the foundations for the study of quantum mechanics. The rediscovery of Mendel's laws by the Dutch botanist Hugo de Vries opened up the field of genetics. A Zeppelin airship made the first successful flight over Lake Constance, while in the United States the Wright brothers tested an unpowered glider.
Figure 2: First ascent of the LZ 1 (Zeppelin airship 1) on 2 July 1900 near Manzell on Lake Constance (ETH-Bibliothek Zürich, Bildarchiv / Ans_05468-010-AL)
Natural disaster
But 1900 was not all good news. A category four hurricane hit the Texan city of Galveston (near Houston), destroying it completely. The hurricane, named Hurricane Galveston, killed between 8,000 and 12,000 people, making it the deadliest hurricane in US history.
Switzerland
While in most European countries monarchs determined political events, in 1900 the Swiss electorate debated the foundations of Swiss democracy. With two popular initiatives, Catholic conservatives and social democrats challenged the political dominance of the liberals in the Swiss government. The demands for the introduction of proportional representation for the National Council, the introduction of popular elections for the Federal Council and the expansion of the Federal Council to nine members were aimed at better reflecting the Swiss population in government. However, the Swiss electorate rejected both initiatives, meaning that supporters of proportional representation had to wait another 18 years.
The Federal Law on Health and Accident Insurance, including Military Insurance, better known as Lex Forrer, suffered an even more resounding defeat. The introduction of compulsory sickness and accident insurance for employees earning more than a certain amount per year was rejected by the people, despite unanimous support from the swiss parliament.
Figure 3: Swiss postcard from the year 1899 (ETH-Bibliothek Zürich, Bildarchiv / Fel_018050-RE)
Like the world, the SIA has changed over the past 125 years. What began as a loose alliance of a few insurance companies has now become an association with 700 volunteers and an office with 39 employees. But the SIA's mission has remained the same throughout its 125-year history: to create the best possible framework for the Swiss private insurance industry.
