The Visit

Switzerland’s neutrality during wartime is well-known and can be symbolized by the Swiss army knife, comprised famously of corkscrews and nail files—survival tools over effective weapons. The history of Swiss neutrality begins with their defeat by France and Venice in 1515. Switzerland was held protected legally, kept independent from the Holy Roman Empire. Switzerland’s history of maintaining neutrality, or refusing to take part in any foreign wars, was officially codified as early as 1815 in the Treaty of Paris. The first world war threatened this policy, as Switzerland shared significant borders both with Germany and Austria-Hungary (two Central Powers) as well as with France and Italy (two Allied Powers). In 1920, the League of Nations formed as the first international, intergovernmental coalition, founded by US president Woodrow Wilson and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, a tribute to Swiss neutrality. But within the League of Nations, Switzerland was exempt from any military obligations. When World War II started, Switzerland was surrounded by Axis countries and territories and Germany was poised to invade, and Switzerland prepared to fight back. But Switzerland maintained neutrality.

During the period between the two world wars, Swiss neutrality was generally respected in terms of exempting Switzerland from military violence.