Swiss Passport

Switzerland is neutral. What does that mean?

Die Schweiz ist neutral. Was heisst das?

Correct answer: C

  1. A It does not sign any international treaties.Sie unterzeichnet keine internationalen Verträge.
  2. B It only concludes treaties with states that are not involved in wars.Sie schliesst nur mit Staaten Verträge, die nicht in Kriege verwickelt sind.
  3. C It does not get involved in armed conflicts between other states.Sie mischt sich nicht in bewaffnete Konflikte anderer Staaten ein.
  4. D It wants to be economically independent as a transit country.Sie will als Transitland wirtschaftlich unabhängig sein.

Why

Neutrality means: Switzerland does not take part in wars between other states and does not support any warring party militarily.

Common mistakes

A: It does not sign any international treaties.
Switzerland signs a great many international treaties and is a member of the UN.
B: It only concludes treaties with states that are not involved in wars.
Neutrality does not forbid treaties; Switzerland also has trade relations with states that are at war.
D: It wants to be economically independent as a transit country.
Neutrality is a rule for wars, not an economic goal as a transit country.

Topic

Neutrality since 1815

Being neutral means: Switzerland does not get involved in armed conflicts, in other words wars, between other states. It does not help any warring party with soldiers. It does not let foreign troops pass through its territory. Switzerland protects its neutrality with its own army. That is why people speak of armed neutrality.

Timeline of Swiss history
  1. 58 BCHelvetii and Romans
  2. 1291The Rütli and William Tell
  3. 1515Marignano
  4. 1523The Reformation
  5. 1798The French and Napoleon
  6. 1815Neutrality
  7. 1848Sonderbund War and the federal state
  8. 19th c.From agrarian state to industrial state
  9. 1918National general strike
  10. 1939–1945Second World War
  11. 1948Prosperity and AHV
  12. 1970Immigration and the Schwarzenbach initiative
  13. 1971Women's suffrage and equal rights
  14. 1979The youngest canton: Jura

History of Switzerland
Reformation, Napoleon and neutrality

Sources

Last checked: September 2026

Question 1 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.

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