Arts and Humanities Commons^™

Considering Swiss Neutrality In World War One: Ideas, Successes, And Failures, Brian Wages

Swiss American Historical Society Review

At first glance, the Fifteenth Century Swiss ascetic Niklaus von Flue

and George Washington have only their distinguished military service

in common. Yet they share something far more important to contemporary

citizens of the United States and Switzerland. They were early

proponents of their respective nations' views on neutrality and vocal

advocates of avoiding foreign influences, alliances, and payments. For

international observers, Swiss neutrality is a universal constant and the

nation is quickly approaching two hundred years of uninterrupted neutrality.