The reason why it is not infringed is that Switzerland's "identity" is a "permanent neutral country", which was an agreement signed at the Congress of Vienna in 1815. But Switzerland's neutral identity did not start here. As early as 1291, when Switzerland's permanent federation was established, Switzerland has always played the role of a neutral country in European history, and it seems that it has never militaryly conquered other regions. But another reason is that Switzerland adopted a compromising attitude towards Germany during World War II, which prevented Germany from finally making up its mind to annex Switzerland.
As for the Congress of Vienna, the European powers were trying to redraw the chaotic European territory after Napoleon's defeat. The establishment of Switzerland's status as a neutral country was just a small and inconspicuous agreement. Although the Congress of Vienna has been condemned by historians for re-establishing a conservative system in Europe by suppressing the liberal democratic claims of the French Revolution, the agreement reached at the Congress maintained Europe for nearly a hundred years before World War I. Peace.
Returning to the issue of Switzerland’s neutrality during World War II, more and more evidence shows that Switzerland was not the completely peaceful and beautiful neutral region that people imagined during World War II. In fact, Switzerland was not completely neutral during World War II. Although there is information that Switzerland organized troops to resist Germany, more information shows that Switzerland actually "aided the evil" during World War II. It not only helped Germany economically, but also helped the Jews. The indirect persecution of ethnic refugees is even more despised by future generations.
The following is relevant information
Switzerland is a small Central European country with a population of 7.04 million (more than 4 million during World War II) and a land area of ??41,284 square kilometers. But it was able to escape the ravages of war as Hitler's armies ravaged Europe during World War II. Whenever they learn about this period of history, many students will ask: "Why was Switzerland able to remain neutral in World War II?" Some sources say that in the face of Hitler's threat, Switzerland mobilized 430,000 troops within a day[1] , and quickly entered the combat position, showing its strong defensive combat capabilities and determination. In addition, Nazi Germany gave up its intention to invade Switzerland because it faced the danger of a two-front battle. In fact, this is not the case. In this great struggle that concerns the fate of mankind, Switzerland has not remained truly neutral. Instead, it has aided the evildoers and played a disgraceful role.
Why did Switzerland submit to Hitler?
Historically, Switzerland was a small country under the rule of the German Holy Roman Empire (the First German Empire). At the Congress of Vienna in 1815, in order to restrict France, the Anti-French Alliance adopted a declaration on the permanent neutrality of Switzerland, and Switzerland was determined to be a permanently neutral country.
However, after Hitler came to power in 1933, Switzerland's neutrality and independence faced severe tests. Nazi German publications claimed that all people with German ancestry were Germans even outside the borders of the Third Reich. Therefore, they call the Swiss "Germans in Switzerland" (64% of the Swiss population belong to the German nation) [2]. The map drawn by Nazi Germany blatantly included it within the territory of "Greater Germany". In response to this reactionary racist clamor, pro-Nazi groups emerged in the German-speaking areas of Switzerland, among which the two far-right organizations, the National Front and the Swiss National Socialists, were the most powerful. Fascist forces in Switzerland, supported by Hitler's regime, gained momentum for a while, putting tremendous pressure on the Swiss authorities and threatening the independence and integrity of Swiss national sovereignty. In addition, Germany has threatened to cut off coal exports to Switzerland.
When World War II was imminent, the Swiss Parliament passed a resolution on August 30, 1939, reaffirming its commitment to neutrality. In 1940, the German High Command formulated several plans to quickly occupy Switzerland through raids, collectively known as "Operation Fir". However, after weighing the pros and cons of invasion, Hitler ultimately did not implement it [3].
In June 1940, half of France fell, and little Switzerland was instantly surrounded by powerful neighbors such as Germany and Italy and their annexed or occupied territories.
Faced with the annexation ambitions of German fascism, the Swiss authorities finally chose the path of surrender and pandering, performing the most disgraceful scene in its history.
What were the tricks of Switzerland’s neutrality in World War II?
1. Economically provide blood transfusion to fascist countries.
Germany has always been Switzerland’s largest trading partner. During World War II, Switzerland maintained economic, trade and financial relations with Germany. Shortly after the war broke out, Switzerland provided a loan of 150 million Swiss francs to Germany, and Germany allowed Swiss goods to be re-exported through Germany. Italy also benefits from economic and trade relations with Switzerland. Switzerland also sold electricity to Germany, allowing German factories to maintain production until March 1945, when Germany's defeat was certain. Major Swiss watch factories also supply precision parts to Germany. The 40mm anti-aircraft gun provided by the Zurich arsenal is an important defensive weapon for Germany to deal with Allied air attacks. [4]
2. During World War II, Switzerland kept the strategically important 15-kilometer-long St. Gotthard Tunnel (which is also the longest road tunnel in the world) running through the Alps open to Germany and Italy. Trains loaded with strategic supplies constantly pass through Switzerland between the two countries [5].
3. Refuse to help the persecuted Jews.
Before the outbreak of World War II, the Nazi regime generally did not prevent Jews from emigrating abroad, but usually forced them to move to other countries after depriving them of their property. Therefore, Switzerland became the first choice for many German Jews to escape. However, the Swiss authorities took countermeasures to block their influx. It clearly stipulated that "Jews should not be regarded as political refugees." To this end, the authorities have taken measures to block the entry first and then rush it out: issuing pre-visa to prevent refugees from entering; if they are allowed to enter, they will be expelled as soon as possible; for refugees who entered illegally, the Swedish side will take them to the border guard and hand them over to Germany. square. During the war years, countless Jews were unable to enter and expelled from Switzerland. In 1938, the Swiss immigration department asked Germany to stamp a large "J" (Jewish mark) on the passports of German Jews. By the time the war officially began, Switzerland had intercepted more than 100,000 Jews at the border. Switzerland sometimes even handed these people directly over to the notorious SS [6]. For this reason, German newspapers also criticized Switzerland's so-called "neutrality" after the war. The German "Weekly" pointed out that Switzerland's "neutrality" was limited to not officially cooperating with the Third Reich.
4. Swiss Bank: Embezzled Jewish property and served as Nazi gold safe.
The performance of Swiss banks in World War II also had many "tricks". According to reports, during World War II, German Jews who were persecuted to death by the Nazis had more than 50,000 Swiss bank accounts with funds worth US$6 billion. However, so far only US$6 million has been returned to Jewish organizations or organizations by the Swiss government. Donated to some international humanitarian organizations[7]. Some Swiss banks even refused compensation on the grounds that death certificates were not issued in Nazi concentration camps. All of these funds were misappropriated by Swiss banks.
Switzerland was also the main place where Nazi Germany traded gold in exchange for hard currency Swiss francs. Swiss banks did not ask where the gold came from and just made a huge profit from it. It is said that 90% of the gold transactions of the Reichsbank of Nazi Germany at that time were conducted through Swiss banks [8]. A considerable part of the huge wealth plundered by the Nazis through the war was stored in Swiss banks. With the "help" of Swiss banks, Hitler received valuable foreign exchange to purchase important supplies on the world market to sustain the war. The deputy president of the Nazi Reichsbank simply said: "Switzerland's allowing free foreign exchange transactions is of great political significance. This is a basic principle that we still keep it independent today." [9]
The above historical facts illustrate that Switzerland’s actions in World War II violated the principle of permanent neutrality.
After the end of World War II, the Swiss federal government reflected on this period of history. On April 3, 1995, Swiss Foreign Minister Coty apologized for the first time on behalf of the government for Switzerland's performance in World War II. He said: “We cannot and will never deny that Switzerland was implicated in unspeakable barbarity during the war.
"Although it is very difficult for a small country surrounded by the Nazi and fascist world to survive, this should not make us forgive ourselves for our serious loss of position and weakness at that time - I think it especially cannot forgive our policy towards the persecuted Jews at that time." " At that time, he also issued a statement approved by the Federal Council (the Swiss government), stating that Switzerland had failed the Nazi victims in World War II [10]. Swiss politicians had the courage to face up to and admit the crimes committed by their government more than half a century ago.