3.11.2 Switzerland's general situation in WWII
Description
This article is from the Switzerland FAQ, by Marc Schaefer schaefer@alphanet.ch with numerous contributions by others.
3.11.2 Switzerland's general situation in WWII
FACTS: Switzerland, at least from 1941 onward, is completely encircled
by the ``Power of the Axis'', namely Germany (Hitler), Italy
(Mussolini), and France (Petain). Switzerland has no direct lead
to the sea, and is not self-sufficient for food, nor goods. Also,
in WWI, Switzerland had suffered from the lack of gold (there was
still parity for the Swiss frank). There are right-extremist and
left-extremist very active movements in Switzerland, especially
among the Italian working in Switzerland. Also, there are some
people at the head of the government sympathizing with Hitler's
ideas.
INTERPRETATION:
The swiss government must find a way to maintain its ability to
do commerce and to avoid invasion. Also, it fears an invasion
from Germany and thus tries to accommodate with both the Allies
and the Axis, e.g. producing goods for Great Britain at the
same time as for Germany. At that time, there is no strong
information regarding massive Jewish extermination. The
Swiss government also fears massive immigration and anything
that could destabilize Switzerland. Also, there was a fear,
at the beginning of the war, more from the ``Red Danger''
(some communist parties had been previously outlawed,
e.g. La Chaux-de-Fonds 1938), than from the right
extremists.
ABOUTS:
About Switzerland's neutrality during World War II:
http://193.5.216.35/newpd/F/News/INDEX14.HTM
( ^ yes, these are not typos ^).
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