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Show Basel Swiss by Choice Basel became Swiss by choice, although geography would have permitted per-mitted a French or German alliance alli-ance just as conveniently, and joined the Swiss Confederation in 1501. Previously, to maintain its position po-sition as a free state, constant vigilance vigi-lance was necessary against invaders. invad-ers. The Huns had sacked it in 917. Thereafter Basel adopted the peace-is-the-best-policy attitude and remained aloof from all neighborhood neigh-borhood quarrels. The aloofness was even guaranteed by a section of wood in the Rhine bridge, which could be burned quickly to block passage and insure privacy.. |