Concept
Jura separatism (séparatisme jurassien) is a regionalist autonomist movement in the Bernese Jura of Switzerland. The "Jura question" (question jurassienne; Jurafrage) is the question of secession of the Jura region from Berne, implemented partially as three of seven districts formed the Canton of Jura in 1979, while the remaining four opted to remain with Berne. Historically, the conflict originates with the Congress of Vienna (1815), where the Jurassic territories of the Prince-Bishopric of Basel were given to Berne. The "Jurassic question" was a topic in Swiss politics between 1947 and 1974. In 1947, a separatist Comité de Moutier was formed. By 1949, the separatist movement was officially constituted as the Rassemblement jurassien. In 1952, the opposing anti-separatist side was constituted as the Union des patriotes jurassiens (UPJ). A group of militant young separatists known as the Béliers ("rams") was formed in 1963, which by 1973 received its anti-separatist counterpart in the group Sangliers ("wild boars"). The cantonal government of Berne formed an official commission charged with the resolution of the conflict in 1967. On 23 June 1974, a cantonal poll was held resulting in the decision to form a new canton of Jura. The three districts of Delémont, Porrentruy and Franches-Montagnes opted to secede with an important majority. The Yes won in total over the 7 districts but the No was ahead in Courtelary, La Neuveville, Moutier (the South Districts) and Laufen. In a second poll of 16 March 1975, the four districts of Courtelary, La Neuveville, Moutier and Laufen voted in favour of remaining with Berne. In Autumn 1975, a third vote was conducted in the 14 municipalities which the new border would traverse: each could choose to join the new Canton of Jura or remain with the Canton of Berne. Six chose to remain with Berne, while seven opted to join the new Canton of Jura. In 1977, the population of what was going to be the new canton ratified the cantonal constitution.
