The Challenge of Neutrality: Diplomacy and the Defense of Switzerland

About this book

Prominent historian and former President of the Swiss Confederation Georges-Andr Chevallaz begins his study of Swiss neutrality during World War II with two essential questions: Why in the face of German imperialism-with its authoritarian totalitarian and racist ideology-did Switzerland declare neutrality? Why did it not join the "camp of democracies " or the other European nations who resolved to hold firm against the Germans? Chevallazs provocative and insightful book presented here for the first time in English attempts to answer these questions. Chevallaz further offers an even-handed reevaluation of the role of the principal actors in Swiss politics of the time notably Marcel Pilet-Golaz head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and General Henri Guisan.