Second World War
Topic
During the Second World War (1939 to 1945), Switzerland remained neutral. It fought neither for the Allies (for example the USA, Great Britain, the Soviet Union) nor for the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, Japan). Switzerland was almost completely surrounded by Germany and Italy. The army under General Henri Guisan prepared to defend itself in the Alps. This is called the «Réduit».
But neutral did not mean: no contacts. Switzerland had political and economic relations with all sides. It depended on coal and food from abroad. Swiss companies supplied weapons and machines, above all to Germany. The National Bank bought German gold. Transit between Germany and Italy went through Switzerland.
Switzerland took in around 60 000 civilian refugees. But it also turned many away, including many Jewish people. From 1942, the border was largely closed to them. A commission of experts (Bergier Commission) examined this period and clearly criticised the refugee policy in 1999.
Timeline of Swiss history
- 58 BCHelvetii and Romans
- 1291The Rütli and William Tell
- 1515Marignano
- 1523The Reformation
- 1798The French and Napoleon
- 1815Neutrality
- 1848Sonderbund War and the federal state
- 19th c.From agrarian state to industrial state
- 1918National general strike
- 1939–1945Second World War
- 1948Prosperity and AHV
- 1970Immigration and the Schwarzenbach initiative
- 1971Women's suffrage and equal rights
- 1979The youngest canton: Jura
Key terms
- Alliierte
- Allies: the states that fought against Germany, for example the USA, Great Britain and the Soviet Union.
- Achsenmächte
- Axis powers: Germany, Italy and Japan with their allies.
- Réduit
- Réduit: the Swiss army's plan to defend itself in the Alps.
Exam questions on this topic
- How can Switzerland's relationship with the warring powers in the Second World War be described?Correct answer: C, neutral, with political and economic relations with the warring powers
Sources
Last checked: September 2026