Much of the medieval period was a time of power struggles between competing dynasties such as the House of Savoy, the Visconti in northern Italy and the House of Habsburg in Austria and Slovenia. In 1291 to protect themselves from incursions by the Habsburgs, four cantons in the middle of Switzerland drew up a charter that is considered to be a declaration of independence from neighboring kingdoms. After a series of battles fought in the 13th, 14th and 15th centuries, more cantons joined the confederacy and by the 16th century Switzerland was well-established as a separate state. COUNT 4
QSN1 Much of the medieval period was a time of what? ANS1 power struggles QSN2 Where were the Visconti from? ANS2 northern Italy QSN3 What dynastie was from Austria and Slovenia? ANS3 the House of Habsburg QSN4 What Country was a well-established separate state by the 16th century? ANS4 Switzerland