#头条创作挑战赛 #
2023 is destined to be a wonderful and exciting year. The chain reaction brought about by the Russian-Ukrainian war is very many, such as Russia's huge pressure, having to seek permission from the East, and even engaging in an open extralegal jurisdiction. And what I did not expect was that Russia could not hold on, and Switzerland knelt first.
Recently, the Swiss Bank, which enjoys the status of a neutral country in 208, announced that it will resume its status as a neutral country again and announce that it will no longer export weapons to Ukraine. This is because Switzerland's participation in sanctions against Russia has not benefited but caused its own financial crisis.
This has to be seen: the false neutral country Switzerland, everything is hypocritical. So how did Switzerland become neutral? It all stems from the story of Napoleon.
The Congress of Vienna in 1815 made Switzerland a permanent neutral country for 208 years
Switzerland was a relatively late country. On 1 August 1291, the cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Nidwalden secretly formed a permanent alliance in the struggle against the Habsburgs, which was the beginning of Swiss statehood.
Located in the middle of Western Europe, Switzerland is the site of four wars, a bit like Henan Province's central location in China. Switzerland became permanently neutral as a country dating back to the beginning of the 19th century.
During Napoleon's reign in France, almost half of Europe was united, and Switzerland became a French colony. The Napoleonic Empire conquered Switzerland and drafted a unified constitution that included Switzerland in France and the Republic of Chisalpina. Napoleon also gave Switzerland a new name, the Helvetian Republic.
However, in 1815, Napoleon was defeated, and in order to restore the European feudal order destroyed by Napoleon, and to prevent the resurgence of France, a conference was held in Vienna, the capital of Austria, to re-divide the territory and territory of Europe to achieve the purpose of mutual balance.
At the meeting in Vienna, Switzerland's status as a permanently neutral country was confirmed.
Why do European powers want Switzerland to be neutral?
In fact, it is mainly the reason for the balance of power in Europe. Switzerland is located in Central Europe, bordered by Germany to the north, France to the west, Italy to the south, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Germany to the north and France to the west are first-rate powers, while Italy and Austria are second-rate powers. The small area, dangerous terrain, easy to defend and difficult to attack Switzerland, which determines that Switzerland's geographical location has high military value.
None of the neighboring countries has the strength to annex Switzerland, but they do not want others to annex it, so Switzerland can only be permanently neutralized, so that all countries benefit. It is in the interests of Germany, France, Italy and other countries that Switzerland becomes a neutral country.
Moreover, Switzerland has only 41,000 square kilometers and a few million people, and its resources are scarce, and Switzerland's mineral resources are extremely scarce, with only a small number of salt, coal, iron and manganese mines. Therefore, there is all the more reason to be called a neutral country.
So in 1815, Switzerland declared itself permanently neutral under duress by the great powers. However, the Swiss army did not stop assisting foreign governments until after the Siege of Gaeta in 1860. Even during World War I and World War II, Switzerland remained a neutral country. This makes Switzerland the only country in Europe that has not experienced war.
However, as a neutral country, Switzerland has always maintained a militia army that is all-soldier and mobilized. Its military strength remains at 360,000, the highest per capita level in the world. Switzerland spends $5.5 billion a year on its military, making it one of the most expensive in the world.
Switzerland, on the other hand, borrowed its status as a neutral country and gradually became a financial center. Swiss banks are known for their "confidentiality" and "security". Many domestic TV dramas have appeared in Swiss banks, which shows its reputation.
Due to Switzerland's financial position, many multinational companies have set up their headquarters here. The largest city, Zurich, is one of the international financial centers and the second largest gold exchange market in the world after London.
Switzerland is home to the headquarters of many multinational companies, with the largest Swiss companies in terms of turnover being Vitol, Glencore, Govor, Trafigura, Nestle, Novartis, Roche, ABB, Mercuria and Adecco, as well as other notable UBS, Zurich Financial Services, Credit Suisse, Tetra Pak Packaging, Barry Callebaut, Swiss Re and Schwarqu Group. Switzerland is also one of the most influential economies in the world.
It is through its unique positioning that Switzerland has become one of the richest countries in the world. Switzerland has a population of only 8.73 million, and in 2022, Switzerland's per capita income reached 84,658 US dollars, which is really rich.
However, the crisis of confidence in banks caused by sanctions against Russia could be devastating to Switzerland's finances. Many conglomerates and wealthy people are already speeding up the withdrawal of large amounts of money deposited in Swiss banks.
Some of the consequences are really self-inflicted. If the signboard is smashed, it will be difficult to pick up.