The old religious jealousy of the Catholic and Protestant Cantons now revived with increased violence. These troubles were attributed by many to the influence of the Jesuits, and an active agitation was commenced for obtaining their expulsion. Under the claim that religion was in danger, delegates from seven Catholic Cantons assembled at Rothen, in the Canton of Luzern, and formed a separate League, called the _Sonderbund_, or separate confederation. In violation of the Federal Pact of 1815, these Cantons engaged to defend each other by an armed force, and appointed a council of war to take all necessary steps. The Federal Diet, in session at Bern in July, 1847, realized that prompt action must be taken to suppress a movement which was threatening the country with a civil war. Friendly negotiation having failed, the Diet declared the League to be dissolved, and at once hostilities broke out. A sharp, decisive contest of only eighteen days’ duration brought the strife to an end; the seceding Cantons were overwhelmed and forced back to their allegiance. The strength of the Confederation being so decisively proved, it was regarded an opportune time to revive the effort for a thorough reformation of the federal system. This was accomplished the following year by the constitution of 1848. Swiss history is largely the history of the drawing together of parts of three adjoining nations for common defence against a common foe, little by little winning their independence. “A liberty that sprang to life in Greece; gilded next the early and the middle age of Italy; then reposed in the hallowed breast of the Alps, and descended at length on the coast of North America, and set the stars of glory there. At every stage of its course, at every reappearance, it was guarded by some new security; it was embodied in some new element of order; it was fertile in some larger good; it glowed with a more exceeding beauty.”[8] The name “Swiss” and “Switzerland,” German “_Schweiz_,” French “La _Suisse_,” supposed to be derived from the Canton of Schwyz, though long in familiar use, did not form the official style of the Confederation until 1803. Schwyz, according to Gatschet, signifies “clearing the ground by fire;” and, again, it is derived from “Sweiter” and “Swen,” two brothers who are said to have founded it; and these family names, common in Sweden, are now heard in the valleys of Schwyz.