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».

But neutral did not mean: no contacts. Switzerland had political and economic relations with all sides. It depended on coal and food from abroad. Swiss companies supplied weapons and machines, above all to Germany. The National Bank bought German gold. Transit between Germany and Italy went through Switzerland.

Switzerland took in around 60 000 civilian refugees. But it also turned many away, including many Jewish people. From 1942, the border was largely closed to them. A commission of experts (Bergier Commission) examined this period and clearly criticised the refugee policy in 1999.