Interwar Period – Switzerland

Interwar Period - Switzerland Domestic Policy

• Switzerland was not directly involved in WWI but felt its consequences on several levels.
• Surrounded by authoritarian regimes (Fascist Italy, National Socialist Germany), Switzerland avoided dictatorship and improved its democratic system.

Post-War Unrest

• From the end of the war until 1929, Switzerland experienced political and social unrest and change.

Proportional Representation

• Major political change: introduction of proportional representation.
• Previous system: three-round majoritarian system, favored the dominant Radical-Liberal Party.
• Radical-Liberal Party: aimed to promote a liberal nation-state and had been strong since the end of the Sonderbund war (victory of progressive liberal government over conservative cantons).
• Smaller parties (Social Democrats, Catholic Conservatives) were frustrated due to few seats compared to electoral votes.
• Farmer’s, Trader’s and Citizens’ Party also dissatisfied.
• After two failed referendums (1900, 1910), proportional representation was accepted on October 13, 1918.
• First used in the 1919 federal elections, leading to a decline of the Radical-Liberal Party and a rise of Social Democrats and Farmer’s, Trader’s and Citizens’ Party.

The «Landesstreik» or General Strike

• The Swiss General Strike of 1918 («Landesstreik») was a significant social and political conflict.
• Took place from November 12-14, 1918, involving around 250,000 workers.
• Switzerland’s economy suffered during WWI despite neutrality. Rising food prices and stagnating wages led to worker dissatisfaction.
• Industrialists, banks, and farmers profited, deepening social inequality.

Olten Action Committee

• The «Oltener Aktionskomitee», a socialist-led group, called for a general strike.
• Led by Robert Grimm, editor of «Berner Tagwacht».
• Issued a nine-point program demanding political and social reforms:
  • Proportional representation
  • Women’s suffrage
  • 48-hour workweek
  • Social insurance for workers
  • Wealth tax
• Regional strikes began on November 9, 1918, in 19 industrial centers.
• The nationwide General Strike was officially declared on November 12.
• Swiss Federal Council demanded unconditional termination and deployed soldiers.
• In Grenchen, soldiers fired on demonstrators due to a misunderstanding, killing three workers.
• Strike leaders called off the protest on November 14, 1918 to avoid further violence.

Rise of Extremism

• From 1929 to 1935, Switzerland experienced political radicalization.

Front Movement

• Economic turmoil and fears of socialism/communism led to right-wing extremist movements, the Front Movement («Frontenbewegung»).
• Inspired by Italian fascism and German National Socialism.
• Promoted anti-democratic, antisemitic, and nationalist ideas, seeking to replace direct democracy with a strong executive power.
• Supported by conservative academic and student circles, particularly in Zürich.
• Linked by a fear of communism, attracting some support from Conservatives.
• Swiss far-right groups struggled to gain public support and remained marginal.

Geneva Massacre

• The Geneva Massacre on November 9, 1932, was one of the deadliest political events in Swiss history.
• Climax of tensions between left-wing socialists and right-wing extremists.
• Last time the military was actively used against civilians.
• Swiss army fired on unarmed protesters, killing thirteen and injuring sixty-five.
• Triggered by a leftist counter-demonstration against a meeting of the far-right National Union.
• National Union demanded a public trial of Socialist Party leaders accused of fomenting civil war.
• Socialists asked for the meeting to be banned; government refused but deployed inexperienced recruits.
• Léon Nicole, a Socialist leader, addressed the counter-protestors, escalating tensions.
• Soldiers opened fire, many shooting fleeing demonstrators in the back.

Propaganda

• Propaganda played a big role in Switzerland during the interwar period.
• Used to gain followers; clearly seen in anti-communist depictions.
• Characteristics of propaganda:
  • Emotional appeal
  • Clear political message
  • Symbolism
  • Call to action

Switzerland’s Military During WW1

• Switzerland maintained armed neutrality during WWI.
• Surrounded by Central Powers and Entente Powers.
• From 1914-1918, troops were deployed around the French border due to fear of trench warfare.
• General at the time: Ulrich Wille, supported by an army of 220,000 soldiers.
• Fewer troops at the Italian border due to mountainous terrain.
• By November 1916, around 38,000 soldiers in the army; by the end of the war, about 12,500.
• Switzerland’s neutrality attracted pacifists, artists, and socialists, leading to migration during and after WWI.

Military During WW2

• In 1939, Switzerland mobilized for a possible German invasion within three days.
• Military defense strategy shifted from static defense to long-term attrition and withdrawal.

National Redoubt

• The National Redoubt (Réduit National) was a defensive plan starting in the 1880s.
• Expanded in 1940 to protect against German invasion; announced at the Rütli Meadow by Henri Guisan.
• Three phases:
  1. Reinforcing borders (especially against Germany, using geographical barriers).
  2. Strategic retreat into the Alps (Réduit).
  3. Prepare for a long war.

Réduit in Case of an Attack

• Not the whole country would be protected; the Mittelland would be abandoned.
• Focus on Alpine regions due to difficulty of attack.
• New Swiss defense line passed through the Vierwaldstättersee (Lake Lucerne), with a small navy established.
• Alps as a natural defense; bridges, tunnels, and roads could be destroyed to hinder invasion.
• Major railway systems could be blocked.
• Almost all Swiss men required military training and kept weapons at home.
• Hidden airbases in the mountains, camouflaged bunkers, and fortified positions were created.
• Hundreds of bunkers, artillery positions, and supply depots built inside the Alps, blending into the landscape.
• Fortresses were self-sufficient.
• Construction provided jobs after the Great Depression.
• By 1945, a large part of the alpine territory was covered with these constructions, costing around 406 million Swiss francs.
• Secrecy until the 1990s led to myths and legends (e.g., hidden airstrip inside a mountain).

Swiss Bunkers

• Today, Switzerland has around 370,000 private and official bunkers, providing approximately nine million shelter spaces.
• Swiss law mandates enough bunkers for every person, with at least one square meter of space per person (at least nine square kilometers of bunkers).

Swiss Economy Before, During, and After the First World War

• 70 years of economic growth before WWI (industrialization, railway network construction).
• Wartime boom during WWI, especially in the export industry, followed by a severe economic crisis.
• The Swiss government had problems with raw material and food supply.
• Huge growth in federal administration: from 8,000 employees in 1913 to 12,000 by the end of the war.
• The state gained more power over the economy.
• New authorities were set up to manage the wartime economy (e.g.,