Switzerland during the Second World War
The history of Switzerland during the Second World War is to this day the subject of debates and research. Historical sources in the Swiss Federal Archives provide a basis for both.
Controversial refugee policy, treatment of military internees, refugee money, loot, dormant assets and wartime economy: the history of Switzerland during the Second World War remains a subject of current debate and a field of historic research. Issues of compensation and reparation often play a major role. Numerous important fonds held by the Swiss Federal Archives can serve as a foundation for this process.
Controversial refugee policy
Refugee policy during the Second World War is one of the best-processed chapters of contemporary Swiss history. It is still controversial to this day. The field of tension surrounding xenophobia, anti-Semitism and humanitarian tradition is the source of many a heated discussion. Switzerland did not take in civilian refugees alone. More than 100,000 military refugees were also interned.
Contested finance centre and wartime economy
The Swiss finance centre was hugely important both prior to and during the Second World War. Banks managed the money of the perpetrators and victims of National Socialism and also of the allies. Meanwhile, the wartime economy took care of the distribution of raw materials and the rationing of goods and food during the war years of 1939 to 1945.
Memories of active service and réduit
Active service during the Second World War is the subject of many memories and discussions in Switzerland. The same applies to the réduit that symbolised Switzerland's determined resistance.
Swiss Federal Archives
Archivstrasse 24
CH - 3003 Bern