WWII historians: How did Sweden and Switzerland not fall to the Nazis?

Question

I found a map recently of Nazi Germany's influence at its peak and was amazed to see about the only areas within Europe that weren't under Nazi control were Sweden (though its neighbors Finland and Norway were) and Switzerland (though it was surrounded).
Why did the Nazis not take over those countries? Especially Switzerland, as it's fairly small and was surrounded.

Answer 1

It was convenient for Germany not to invade either of these countries.

Reason one: money. Switzerland, as it is today, is the world's largest depository of no questions asked money. Deposits are held in secret, no matter now illicit or illegal the money was gained. Switzerland held alot of GOLD deposits for high Nazi officials and for DEUSTCHEBANK, the national bank of Germany.

Reason two: Sweden. Trade. The Nazis, and Allies used Sweden for trade: food, oil ( the largest oil brokers in Europe were located in Sweden), and strategically, Sweden offered NOTHING to Germany, so it was better to keep her, and her ports open, for unofficial trading alliances.

Answer 2

Germany needed steel from Sweden and Sweden was an armed Neutral and shot at any Nazi planes or ships that approached it's coast. Switzerland was also armed and had mined the passes and tunnels that gave It access to the world so foiled any plan be Hitler to invade. The Swiss and the Swedes were long time neutrals and so knew how to defend themselves they traded with the Allies and with the Axis and hid Jews and refugees all during the war.

By the way Finland was an ally of Germany and never occupied. Plus the Finns would never have allowed German troops in Finland nor allow Germany to attack Sweden as Sweden was one of their best allies.

Answer 3

Well, about why Hitler did not take over Switzerland, there are very different opinions around. One I have heard is, that he couldn't efford it. He might have been able to take over Switzerland, but he would have lost too much equipment and men in the mountaineous country. Probably, money reasons might have also played a part. I also heard, that there was actually an operation planned to take over Switzerland. He never put it into action, though. As about the army: since I am Swiss, I can give you an answer here. Yes, we do have an army. And being neutral is not reason for not having an army. We have an "armed" neutrality. After all, we need to defend ourselves, right? And neutrality does not mean having no army. Neutrality means to not take part in any war. Which we did not (take part in a war, I mean).

Answer 4

Both nations were, historically, neutral. Switzerland, in particular, had very mountainous terrain and the tradition of an armed citizenry, and the fact that the banks were used by all sides certainly played a part in keeping the Nazis from invading.

I suspect that the Nazis respected the neutrality of Sweden because they viewed them as one of the "Nordic" peoples--in other words, they fit their preferred racial type: blonde, blue eyes, strong, athletic--you can figure out the rest, I'm sure.

Answer 5

We were neutral. We agreed to let the nazis use transportations and stuff through our country (I'm writing about Sweden now, but I guess that it's the same for Switzerland) and they agreed to not war with us.

Answer 6

They were neutral and presented no threat. Plus they cooperated with the Nazis. The gold and treasures the Nazis confiscated was stored int Switzerland. Sweden had little offer so why bother.

Answer 7

They did not "fall" because they were not attacked. They were not attacked because they were more useful to the Nazis as "independent" states than as conquered territories. If Germany had won the war their independence would have ended.

Answer 8

Reason 1)
Virtually all Swiss are armed, even with automatic weapons.

Reason 2)
Very mountainous terrain, natural fortress

Reason 3)
Most of the ruling class of both sides kept money in Swiss banks. Don't want to have them looted during war or have records lost.

Answer 9

the nazis used the swiss banks to harbor their loot. Invading switzerland would have been dumb because it had no strategic value and it was to mountainous to easily be conquered. sweded cooperated with germany buy supplying it with vital ores and minerals used to make tanks, planes and ammunition.

Answer 10

Both were neutral