Why was Switzerland Neutral in the 2nd World war?

Answer 1

In 1920 all major nations confirmed, that Switzerland's neutrality towards warfaring nations as fixed on the 1815 Vienna Conference on post-Napoleon international relations would still be respected. According to the V. and XIII. Hague convention concerning the rights and obligations of neutral states in land and naval warfare of 1907, neutrality includes some central contingencies like the internment of foreign troops, the prohibition of their passage or the prohibition of national supplies of war material to warfaring nations. Important ranges remained however excluded, in particular the whole private foreign trade, also the private trade with war material.

Switzerland had asked for international confirmation of it's neutrality in 1920 before becoming a member of the League of Nations (the predecessor to the United Nations Organization). During the 1920's and the 1930's Switzerland expressed its readiness to take part in economic sanctions if officially imposed by the League of Nations. In 1938 however, the League of Nation council relieved Switzerland formally from the obligation to participate in sanctions.

Answer 2

A better question might be how was Switzerland able to stay neutral in World War II.

Belgium was also neutral, but its accessibility and its position between Germany and France made it too tempting for Hitler to avoid when he invaded France.

Switzerland is protected by its geography--mountainous and difficult terrain--and its economic power, which make it advantageous for dictators to leave it alone.

Sweden was also able to remain neutral in World War II. Both countries traded with both sides including weapons and products adaptable to military use.

Answer 3

Because they wanted to be. The Swiss had a history of non-involvement. The Swiss also have a citizen army. All of it's members keep their uniforms and arms at home. Target shooting is a national sport. The army can be mobilized very quickly as it is organized by blocks, towns and cities, and cantons. Hitler knew this and that there were prepared fortifications that the army could move into quickly. He would have decided that the risk and loss of troops outweighed the possible gain. Also, the Swiss sold arms and other things to the Germans during WWII.