History of Switzerland · Reformation, Napoleon and neutrality
Neutrality since 1815
Topic
Being neutral means: Switzerland does not get involved in armed conflicts, in other words wars, between other states. It does not help any warring party with soldiers. It does not let foreign troops pass through its territory. Switzerland protects its neutrality with its own army. That is why people speak of armed neutrality.
Neutral does not mean that Switzerland stays alone. It concludes many treaties with other states, including states at war. It is a member of the UN and trades with the whole world. It also offers «good offices», for example as a venue for peace talks.
After the Napoleonic wars, the European great powers reorganised Europe. This happened at the Congress of Vienna in 1814 and 1815. There they established that Switzerland should remain neutral. On 20 November 1815 in Paris, the great powers recognised Switzerland's «perpetual neutrality». At the same time, Geneva, Valais and Neuchâtel joined as new cantons.
Memory aid: 1815 in Vienna: the great powers say «neutral», and Switzerland has stayed that way ever since.
Key terms
- Neutralität
- Neutrality: a state does not take part in wars between other states.
- Wiener Kongress
- Congress of Vienna: conference of the European powers in 1814/1815 that reorganised Europe after Napoleon.
- bewaffnete Neutralität
- Armed neutrality: Switzerland is neutral but defends itself with its own army.
Exam questions on this topic
- Switzerland is neutral. What does that mean?Correct answer: C, It does not get involved in armed conflicts between other states.
- What did the European powers establish for Switzerland at the Congress of Vienna in 1815?Correct answer: A, the observance of neutrality