How Switzerland Became Neutral and Exceptional?

Commonly, any country in the world will tend to support other countries in any issues involved for the importance of their economy, politics, and other external factors. However, it might not be the case for Switzerland which always practice neutrality with regard to many international issues.

For decades-long, this small Alpine country, Switzerland has used its exceptional status to not get involved in any wars for so long. On top of that, Switzerland is not the only country in the world with this policy as other countries like Ireland, Austria, and Costa Rica have taken the stance to not meddle with other countries' problems but Switzerland still remains to be the oldest and most respected yet.

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The question will be what makes this place so unique in the world's politics where many countries will only support particular countries for the sake of the stability of their own countries?

The History Of This Neutral Country

One of the early movements of this neutral country, Switzerland starts back in 1515 when the confederation of Switzerland experience a huge loss to France in the Battle of Marignano. Following the loss in the war, the confederation left a policy of expansion of power and strived to avoid future conflicts for the importance of the country's harmony.

It is truly the Napolean war that opens the path for Switzerland into becoming a neutral country. Switzerland was invaded by France in 1798 and later became a satellite location for the Napoleon Bonaparte empire forcing them to dismiss their neutrality status.

But after the defeat of Napoleon in Waterloo, the big powers of Europe made the decision that Switzerland which is neutral will function as a priceless buffer zone between France and Austria which will contribute to the stability of this region.

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During the Vienna Congress of 1815, they signed a declaration stating the indefinite neutrality of Switzerland in the international community.

The Involvement in First and Second World War

Switzerland retained its undivided stance to any countries out there and remained exceptional during the First World War when they moves their army units and accepted any refugees but at the same time refused to be on anyone's side militarily.

In 1920 when the League of Nations was just established officially recognized the neutrality policy of Switzerland and set up its headquarters in Geneva. However, the most challenging part of this policy is during the Second World War when Switzerland found itself in the middle of the Axis power.

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To ensure that the country is saved from the Alliance and Axis power, Switzerland uses the strategy called armed neutrality which requires them to retain their huge army to isolate themselves within their borders and prevent any aggression from the outside.

Despite the Germans and Italians having the plan to invade Switzerland, it never became a reality as the Tannenbaum operation was aborted. Even though, this country remains in its neutral status and refused to negotiate its neutrality, both the Alliance and Axis power broke their chain of integrity and invade the regions of Switzerland during the war.

Since the Second World War, Switzerland has taken the role to be more active in international matters by helping with humanitarian aid but it still remains neutral militarily. Switzerland has never joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or the European Union and only join the United Nations in 2002.

Despite being neutral for so long, this country still retains its military for protection and made it compulsory for military training for men aged 18 to 34 years old.

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