Gotthard Pass
The three cantons had their own independent states surrounding the St. Gotthard Pass, an important mountain pass that created an efficient traveling shortcut between Germany and Italy. Each of the cantons ruled and managed their own section of the Gotthard Pass, and gathered much revenue from charging merchants and travelers en route. Starting mid-13th century, the rich and powerful feudal Habsburgs began fighting central Swiss cantons to gain sole control over the profitable Gotthard Pass and the lands around it. Thus a rebellion began between the much poorer cantons against the highly powerful Habsburgs.