Why Switzerland is Neutral
Whenever we think of Switzerland a lot of people instantly associate one thing with it. The country that has always been neutral in world political and other issues.
It exclaimed itself a buffer zone. We will find out why that is the first registered war that Switzerland as a nation.
If you will be involved in was the Battle of Morganton against the Austrian Archduchess which the Swiss won.
This was in the year 1315 and five hundred years later in 1815 they were done with Wars five centuries of battles were sufficient for the Swiss.
This last war in 1815 was against the first French Empire along with a coalition that counted with world powers like the UK, Russia Sweden, and Spain on the side of Switzerland.
There was also a brief Swiss internal war in November of 1847 which had to do with the transformation of Switzerland into a federal state.
We can say that Switzerland hasn't technically been at war with any foreign nation since 1815.
That's over 200 years ago when the Treaty of Paris was signed at the end of the war against France. I just mentioned so why is this so it isn't like in the last 200 years.
There haven't been any wars for them to be a part of especially in Europe. Why was Switzerland always neutral and why does it remain so.
Swiss foreign policy clearly mentions that neutrality is one of the main principles of Switzerland. It defines clearly that the country is not to be involved in armed conflicts between other states.
They have the oldest policy of military neutrality in the world. However, they differ from a few other examples of neutrality in other countries.
Especially in the fact that they are armed in order to ensure internal security and promote peace. Switzerland seems to be a peaceful country at its core.
The way the territory is set up is a demonstration of peaceful coexistence between the Canton's that are sometimes different.
It is the only country in the world that promotes direct democracy commonly using referendums as a way to decide things. It recognizes four official languages (German, French, Italian, and Romansh).
The main point that defines new quality is the Treaty of Paris of 1815. However, the viewing of Switzerland as a neutral territory started before that.
The earliest move towards Swiss neutrality dates back to 1550. This was when the Swiss Confederacy suffered a big loss to the French at the Battle of Marek.
After the defeat, the Confederation abandoned its expansionist policy and sought to avoid future conflicts in the interest of self-preservation.
There was a period in 1648 called the Peace of Westphalia. Essentially it was a number of peace treaties that ended a number of wars in Europe that had to deal with religion in this piece of Westphalia.
It was determined that other countries were not allowed to go through Swiss territory. The Swiss Confederation became legally independent from the Holy Roman Empire.
Thus not being necessarily involved in its Wars that laid the groundwork for Swiss neutrality, which became definitive in 1815.
It's incredible that they were able to maintain this policy with everything that happened around them.
It was especially because before that in medieval times the Swiss were famous for their bravery for their country. Their big reputation was serving as mercenaries in the service of other countries.
They were considered the most effective mercenary force of the 15th century. But Swiss mercenary services stopped being so popular in 1515.
The battle against the French that I mentioned their pikes and spears weren't enough to beat French and Venetian artillery and armored cavalry.
Despite this, their work abroad continued and even in peacetime. Many European countries maintained Swiss regiments often as whale guards or guards at court.
They were known for their loyalty to their employers and they usually played a decisive role in many battles. The Swiss Guard is still responsible for the security of the Vatican City and of the Pope himself.
In fact, it's the only foreign military service allowed by the Swiss States. It is one of the oldest military units in the world established in 1506.
Also being the smallest but despite this, they were able to maintain neutrality since 1815. Even in modern times First World War.
One in which it shared borders with the two sides of the conflict. It still remained neutral in fact it even contributed to their desire of promoting peace in 1917.
A Swiss politician traveled to Russia to attempt to negotiate a separate peace between the Russians and the Germans. Although this didn't really please the Anton's their neutrality was kept.
Throughout the war served as a ground for diplomats and negotiators.
After the war, the predecessor of the UN the League of Nations reaffirmed Swiss neutrality and even chose Geneva in Switzerland as the location for its headquarters.
They exempted the Swiss from military contributions. But they did demand that they should participate in economic sanctions.
The Swiss agreed at first but eventually reverted back to absolute neutrality. In World War II, they were once again tucked in the middle of the conflict but managed to stay out of it.
Their role was of taking in people who were trying to escape the war, as well as serving as a place for diplomacy.
The Germans had a plan to invade Switzerland. Operation Tannenbaum was started by the Swiss Government and this led the Swiss to prepare their defense.
They mobilized over 850,000 soldiers and created their National redoubt plan to defend against an invasion.
But this operation never took place and the Swiss weren't called to fight to the fender sovereignty. However, this didn't mean that they weren't to suffer from the war.
In 1944, a province of Switzerland was accidentally bombed by the Allies being mistaken for a part of Germany.
At this point, the Swiss were pretty lenient on each side using their airspace as long as no fighting took place.
But after a few of these incidents, they declared a zero-tolerance policy for airspace usage. Even stating that the Swiss military was authorized to shoot any aircraft.
There's also a popular idea that a Swiss held a lot of money and gold for the Germans. This is why they weren't invited while partially true.
This isn't the only reason the defense plan of the Swiss would have made any invasion extremely costly. The plan of the Swiss was to retreat into the mountains.
They would have guarded the most strategic passes of the country making them useless to the enemies. In 1942, Time magazine wrote an article on Switzerland entitled alone little and tough.
In it, they described the plan they said against attack. The Swiss destroyed the three great Alpine tunnels to hamper the way to enemies.
They have built in the Alps a defense which an army thrice the size of theirs might need valuable months to crack.
After the war full neutrality was totally recovered. However, this also meant bigger participation in international matters in 2002.
They finally joined the UN and began participating in international security initiatives. But always keep staying true to its neutral nature. They refused to join NATO.
Switzerland has therefore sort of becoming a symbol for peace. An example of that is the creation of the Red Cross by a Swiss man or the holding of the Geneva Conventions which determined somewhat civil rules for warfare.
Something that demonstrates the Swiss commitment to defend itself. Despite its neutrality, it is the fact that they have a mandatory part-time military service from all people aged 18 to 34.
Switzerland has been able to keep its neutrality because it would gain very little in going to war. because other countries especially its neighbors would also gain very little by invading it.
Ever since 1815 and until today their recipe seems to have worked well. They have not advocated militarization.
They have always assured that they can defend themselves if needed, but outside Wars have not been their interests.
We can raise the question of the moral duty of helping one's neighbors and historical friends or fighting force slash against an ideal in times of crisis.
In the official Swiss government website, they define their policy as eminent neutrality. Its neutrality theory is generating a source of peace and stability in Switzerland as well as in Europe.
It ensures the country's independence and in the viability of their territory. According to the law of neutrality drafted by the Swiss assembly.
Switzerland shall not participate in a war between States. Some of the main rules of this policy:
- They will not engage in war
- They will ensure their own defense
- They will ensure equal treatment for belligerent States in respect of trade
- They will not supply mercenary troops and
- They will not allow belligerents to use Swiss territory across the world.
There are also some countable countries like Switzerland. But some have similar stories of historical neutrality.
Others may be tried to mimic the Swiss policy. According to Wikipedia, the following countries have declarations of neutrality.
- Switzerland
- Panama
- Costa Rica
- Finland
- Sweden
- Ireland
- Austria
- Turkmenistan
So in a summarized way, that is why Switzerland is neutral. Why it began being so and how it maintained that status throughout history avoiding so many conflicts. Being successful neutral since 1815 until today.