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The Peace of Westphalia in 1648 was another important step in the development of Switzerland's neutrality. [13]: 242 Other countries were disallowed from passing through Swiss territory, and the Confederation became legally independent from the Holy Roman Empire, [13]: 242 even though it had been independent from the Empire de facto since 1499.
In terms of major roles Swiss diplomats had the mandate to protect Germany's interest in Britain, the United States, Yugoslavia, Turkey, and Dutch Indonesia. Switzerland protected British interests in Germany, France, Italy, Hungary, Romania and Japan. It protected Vichy France's interests in Britain, the United States, Italy, Egypt and Brazil.
Robert Grimm. The Grimm–Hoffmann affair was a short-lived scandal that threatened Switzerland's neutrality during World War I. Robert Grimm, a socialist politician, travelled to the Russian Republic as an activist to negotiate a separate peace between Russia and the German Empire, in order to end the war on the Eastern Front in the interests of socialism.
The military history of Switzerland comprises centuries of armed actions, and the role of the Swiss military in conflicts and peacekeeping worldwide. Despite maintaining neutrality since its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499, [1] Switzerland has been involved in military operations dating back to the hiring of Swiss mercenaries by foreign nations, including the Papal States.
On 5 November 1918 the Federal Council, Switzerland's executive, deployed two infantry regiments and two cavalry brigades to Zürich.It claimed that economic and political instability could give radicals, particularly foreigners in Zürich, the opportunity to cause disturbances and to attempt a revolution and that the soldiers were needed to maintain order. [7]
The United States had a direct war cost about $12.3 billion; it made loans to Allies of $5.041 billion. Russia had a direct war cost about $7.7 billion; it received loans from Allies (United States and Britain) of $2.289 billion. [35] In 1914 Britain had by far the largest and most efficient financial system in the world. [36]
Similarly, relations with the Third Reich, Switzerland's primary trading partner, were amicable. For example, Federal Councillor Edmund Schulthess met with Chancellor Adolf Hitler on February 23, 1937. During this meeting, Hitler reaffirmed Switzerland's neutrality, emphasizing shared values such as anti-communism.
The United States was a major supplier of war material to the Allies but remained neutral in 1914, in large part due to domestic opposition. [168] The most significant factor in creating the support Wilson needed was the German submarine offensive, which not only cost American lives but paralysed trade as ships were reluctant to put to sea. [169]