Swiss neutrality : analysing Switzerland's diplomatic policies in nineteenth-century Europe

Abstract

Switzerland’s place in European history has been instrumental in that its role as a neutral partner brought long-term changes to the international affairs of Europe in the 19th century and beyond. This unique foreign policy by the Swiss came from its history and experience as a country passing through its formative period in the early modern period to its consolidation on the world stage in the 19th century. This dissertation explores the aspect of neutrality in Swiss history and the impact it had on the international scene, delving into the factors that led to the adoption of neutrality and how it played out in relation to external conflicts and relations with its neighbouring states. The first chapter of the dissertation gives a brief overview of the topic at hand and my reasons for exploring this aspect of European history, together with the literature review. The second chapter goes over the important timeline of events that played a part in the formation of Switzerland and its adoption of neutrality. In addition, chapter three focuses on the internal politics and governance of Switzerland, as well as major internal events that had seen involvement from foreign actors. The fourth chapter focuses heavily on Switzerland’s role on the world stage and the diplomacy at play in the 19th century especially with the fifth and final chapter giving a summary of the main events and arguments laid out in previous chapters together with my views on them.