80 years since the end of World War II in Europe

80 years ago, the words «church bells herald the end of the hostilities» marked the beginning of President of the Confederation Eduard von Steiger’s speech on May 8 1945 on the radio: «The excruciating agony of the war-ridden people is coming to an end.» (dodis.ch/30882) In a more confidential setting a few days later, the Foreign Minister Max Petitpierre expressed mixed feelings in front of representatives of the parliament and cantonal governments: «The joy evoked from the end of the hostilities is subdued by the discovery of the suffering inflicted in systematic cruelty on millions of people, who were deported into the concentration camps of Hitler-Germany.» (dodis.ch/320)

Survivors of the concentration camps

Despite the federal agencies’ knowledge of the annihilation policy of the Nazi regime as early as 1942 (cf. e-dossier dodis.ch/W8), Switzerland too was shocked by the magnitude of it. The country opened its borders for the transit and hospitalization of prisoners of war, forced laborers, deportees and refugees (dodis.ch/1705). Children of the concentration camp in Buchenwald were accommodated in Switzerland for purposes of recreation. Out of «moral interest», Bern took the risk that «in six months or in a year, there could be some difficulties getting rid of some of them again» (dodis.ch/13).

War or peace?

In his speech, Petitpierre also highlighted the fact that a return to peace was still far away and that looming conflicts could also cause a new war. On May 11 1945, the Federal Council partially lifted its ban on exports of war material in effect since October 1944, which would signify «a substantial easement for our industry» and would have «a favorable effect on the question of provision of employment» (dodis.ch/1214). Emil Georg Bührle, the leading exporter of war material, subsequently intensified his efforts to develop new markets. However, the federal agencies were not able to support him openly in that matter (dodis.ch/3681).
 

The future of Germany

After the capitulation of Germany, the Federal Council established that the «Empire has not disappeared as a state but is lacking a government» (dodis.ch/32060). However, Switzerland was the only country that did not acknowledge the sovereignty of the Allied occupation over Germany (dodis.ch/2082). Accordingly, the Federal Council appointed a Swiss diplomat in charge of fiducial representation of German interests in Switzerland on May 18 1945 (dodis.ch/1218).

Conflicts with the Soviet Union

The end of the war was marked by an accumulation of conflicts between supporters of communism and Western democracies. The Soviet Union, with whom Switzerland did not entertain diplomatic relations since 1918, criticized Switzerland’s economic and financial relations with the Axis powers up until the end of the war, allowing them to bring their looted assets into safety in Switzerland. To counter accusations concerning the treatment of Soviet internees, the Federal Council decided to publish documentaries filmed in the «Russian camps» (dodis.ch/1215). In 1946, the USSR demanded an apology from the Federal Council for its «anti-Soviet stance» in the past. After an initial refusal, the Federal Council succeeded in normalising relations with the new superpower a few months later. The formula that was finally agreed upon was as follows: «By the invitation that he adressed to the Soviet Government [...] the Federal Council showed that it had modified its previous attitude, insofar as it had been unfriendly towards the USSR.» (dodis.ch/48190, see e-dossier dodis.ch/W5953)

Financial centre under fire

Allegations especially against the Swiss financial centre also increased from the Western allies. Swiss bankers called it a finance war, orchestrated by the US administration on the initiative of Wall Street. At a meeting of the Bankers Association with the Federal Council, General Director of the UBS Alfred Schaefer stated that: «To sacrifice bank secrecy to Anglo-American inquisition» would mean «to question the existence of the banks themselves». Petitpierre replied that Swiss diplomacy has always represented the interests of the banks and would continue to do so: «Still, we have to consider the fact that the problem of defending the interests of the banks has to be included in the general problem of defending Swiss interests.» (dodis.ch/38) In the Washington Agreement, a settlement was reached with the USA in spring 1946 (see e-dossier dodis.ch/W5959).

Apology after 50 years

To mark the 50th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe, the United Federal Assembly convened on 7 May 1995 for an extraordinary commemorative event. In a remarkable speech in Parliament, the President of the Confederation Kaspar Villiger stated: «For me, there is no doubt that we have brought guilt upon ourselves with our policy towards the persecuted Jews. [...] Difficult conflicts of interest were resolved over-anxiously to the detriment of humanity. With the introduction of the so-called Jewish stamp, Germany met one of Switzerland’s concerns. The stamp was approved by Switzerland in October 1938. At the time, we made the wrong choices in our overly narrowly unterstood national interest. The Federal Council deeply regrets this and apologises for it, in the knowledge that such failures are ultimately inexcusable.» (dodis.ch/70376) A few months later, Switzerland’s role in the Second World War was to become the focus of international attention and Swiss politics as the debate about dormant accounts of victims of Nazi persecution flared up (dodis.ch/T619).