Mulhouse

Mulhouse lies between the Vosges and the Jura, north of Basel. A free imperial city, it sought protection among its Swiss neighbours and became an associate of the Confederation in 1515. This alliance helped the Protestant republic preserve its independence while much of Alsace passed to France. Printed textiles brought new prosperity after the first works opened in 1746. In 1798 the citizens voted for union with France, bringing the small republic's separate existence to an end.