Swiss Passport

Question 220 of 350 · The 20th century

How can Switzerland's relationship with the warring powers in the Second World War be described?

Wie kann man das Verhältnis der Schweiz zu den kriegführenden Mächten im Zweiten Weltkrieg beschreiben?

Correct answer: C

  1. AAlly of the AlliesBündnispartner der Alliierten
  2. BAlly of the Axis powersBündnispartner der Achsenmächte
  3. Cneutral, with political and economic relations with the warring powersneutral - politische und wirtschaftliche Beziehungen zu den kriegführenden Mächten
  4. Dneutral, with no relations with the warring powersneutral - keine Beziehungen zu den kriegführenden Mächten

Why

Switzerland remained neutral and did not fight. But it had political and economic relations with both sides, especially trade with Germany.

Common mistakes

D: neutral, with no relations with the warring powers
It was not possible without any relations: Switzerland needed coal and food and supplied goods to both sides.
A: Ally of the Allies
Switzerland was not allied with either side, not even with the Allies.
B: Ally of the Axis powers
Switzerland was not an ally of the Axis powers, even though it traded a lot with Germany.

Topic

Second World War

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».

History of Switzerland · The 20th century

Sources

Official question of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.