Interwar Period – Switzerland

Flashcards about the Interwar period in Switzerland

Proportional Representation

The voting system introduced after World War I in Switzerland, which aimed to give smaller parties a fairer share of seats.

Swiss General Strike of 1918 («Landesstreik»)

A significant social and political conflict in Swiss history that took place in November 1918, involving around 250,000 workers.

Olten Action Committee («Oltener Aktionskomitee»)

A socialist-led group that called for a general strike in Switzerland in 1918, demanding major political and social reforms.

Front Movement («Frontenbewegung»)

Right-wing extremist movements in Switzerland, inspired by Italian fascism and German National Socialism, that promoted anti-democratic, antisemitic, and nationalist ideas.

Geneva Massacre

One of the deadliest political events in Swiss history, where the Swiss army fired on unarmed protesters in Geneva in November 1932, killing thirteen people and injuring sixty-five.

Ulrich Wille

The general during World War I who was supported by an army of 220,000 soldiers to ensure armed neutrality.

National Redoubt (Réduit National)

A defensive plan by the Swiss government to protect Switzerland from a potential German invasion, involving reinforcing borders, strategic retreat into the Alps, and preparing for a long war.

Swiss economy during World War I

The wartime boom after World War I in which many raw materials and food were difficult to obtain.

Roaring Twenties

A decade characterized by economic prosperity, social and cultural change, and general optimism, contrasting with the crises before and after.

The Great Depression

A severe economic crisis that had a delayed impact on Switzerland, leading to falling prices, rising unemployment, and bankruptcies.

Economy's recovery in 1936

Swiss franc devalued by 30% helping the economy become more competitive in the export industry, leading to recovery in watchmaking, engineering, and chemical industries.

Labour Peace Agreement (1936)

A compromise between employers and unions to avoid strikes and disruption and to stabilise the country as well as prevent the spread of fascism and communism within the state.

Germany

One of Switzerland's most important trading partners before and during World War II, with exports to this country increasing even more during the war.

Switzerland’s neutrality

Officially recognized in the Treaty of Paris in 1815, marking Switzerland's commitment to avoiding foreign wars, a principle dating back to 1648.

Grimm-Hoffmann Affair

An affair in 1917 involving Swiss socialist Robert Grimm, who attempted to negotiate a separate peace between Germany and Russia, leading to international criticism.

Swiss Banking Act of 1934

Legislation introduced in 1934 establishing strict secrecy laws and protecting account holders’ privacy, contributing to the growth of Switzerland's financial sector.

Society and Culture during the interwar period in Switzerland

The shifting societal roles and challenges regarding women’s rights and the treatment of the Jewish population.

Dadaism

An art movement during the First World War and was a negative reaction to the horrors and the folly of the war.

Katharina Zenhäusern

Known as Switzerland‘s first female voter.

Soldiers’ Christmas campaign

Sent red boxes marked with a white cross to Swiss soldiers stationed at the border, which contained items such as chocolate, biscuits, cigars, cigarettes, patriotic songs.

Switzerland

Provided asylum to over 50,000 refugees, including 20,000 Jews during World War I.