Switzerland
1939-1945 		History of Switzerland






Switzerland after World War II, 1945-1949

Foreign Policy : In 1946, diplomatic relations between Switzerland and the USSR, broken off in 1924, were restored. The mysterious disappearance of a Swiss diplomat in Budapest in 1946 resulted in the temporary cessation of diplomatic ties with Hungary. While Soviet manipulation of governments in countries such as Czechoslovakia was badly received by the Swiss press, Switzerland did sign a trade agreement with the USSR in 1948.

Domestic Policy : In 1947 an old-age insurance system was introduced.

The Economy : "Switzerland presented the anomalous spectacle of a dollar-rich country in the midst of a dollar-poor Europe" (Britannica BoY 1947). The Swiss National Bank, after having devaluated the Swiss Franc in 1936, considered raising the official exchange value in 1946. Shipping on the Rhine was reopened. Switzerland experienced inflation, caused by the lifting of price controls and rationing in Switzerland (in 1947-1948) as well as in her neighbouring countries. In 1947, Switzerland joined the OEEC and accepted Marshall Plan Aid. The Swiss economy experienced an early boom; especially the Swiss chemical industry.





EXTERNAL
FILES
DOCUMENTS Historical Population Statistics : Switzerland, from Population Statistics, at Univ. Utrecht
List of Presidents etc., from World Statesmen by Ben Cahoon
UN General Assembly 1946 Resolution No.91, Conditions on which Switzerland May Become a Member of the International Court of Justice, Resolution No.98, Interim Arrangement on the Privileges and Immunities of the UN concluded with the Swiss Federal Council and Agreement Concerning the Ariana Site
REFERENCE Article : Switzerland, in : Britannica Book of the Year 1946 pp.717-718, 1947 p.736, 1948 pp.709-710, 1949 pp.612-613 [G]
Article : Switzerland, in : Americana Annual 1947 pp.688-689 (on events of 1946) [G]
Article : Switzerland, in : Funk & Wagnall's New Standard Encyclopedia Year Book 1946 pp.394-395 [G]



This page is part of World History at KMLA
First posted on June 26th 2006, last revised on March 27th 2007

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