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During the First World War, Switzerland sustained its policy of neutrality despite sharing land borders with two of the Central Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary) and two of the Allied Powers (France and Italy). The German-speaking majority in Switzerland generally favoured the Central Powers whilst the French-speaking and Italian-speaking ...
The industrial sector began to grow in the 19th century with a laissez-faire industrial/trade policy, Switzerland's emergence as one of the most prosperous nations in Europe, sometimes termed the "Swiss miracle", was a development of the mid 19th to early 20th centuries, among other things tied to the role of Switzerland during the World Wars. [10]
The Old Swiss Confederacy, also known as Switzerland or the Swiss Confederacy, [6] was a loose confederation of independent small states (cantons, German Orte or Stände [7]), initially within the Holy Roman Empire. It is the precursor of the modern state of Switzerland.
Between the Alps and a Hard Place: Switzerland in World War II and the Rewriting of History (2000) excerpt and text search; Dawson, William Harbutt. Social Switzerland: Studies of Present-day Social Movements and Legislation (1897) 302 pp; with focus on social and economic history, poverty, labour online; Fahrni, Dieter. An Outline History of ...
The CIA World Factbook estimates Switzerland's 2011 exports at $308.3 billion and the 2010 exports at $258.5 billion. Imports are estimated to be $299.6 billion in 2011 and $246.2 billion in 2010. According to the World Factbook numbers, Switzerland is the 20th largest exporter and the 18th largest importer. [48]
[5] The country has a history of armed neutrality going back to the Reformation; it has not been in a state of war internationally since 1815 and did not join the United Nations until 2002. [6] It pursues an active foreign policy and is frequently involved in peace-building processes around the world. [7] [8]
Switzerland is the oldest neutral country in the world; it has not fought a foreign war since its neutrality was established by the Treaty of Paris in 1815. It is not a member of the European Union. [1] Swiss cultural icons include Switzerland's quality of life, its neutrality, the Swiss Alps, watches, yodeling, cheese and chocolate.
The First World War divided Switzerland internally, as German-speaking Switzerland sympathized with Germany and French-speaking Switzerland with France, which was further fuelled by foreign war propaganda. As part of its policy of neutrality, however, Switzerland remained neutral in foreign policy, which was a difficult balancing act as ...