ABSTRACT
The notion of power has seldom bloomed so rankly in Europe as in the period which set in between 1870 and 1880. Its native soil was the great Powers, the fully organized constitutional, economic and national bodies. They began to disregard the minor states and to eliminate them from high politics. Indeed, in this period it actually looked as if the Confederation had resigned from world politics. Foreign observers concluded that the absence of territorial aims in Switzerland meant her relinquishment of any foreign policy. There is this much truth in the assumption, that the Swiss man in the street began to regard neutrality as a protective rampart behind which he could go about his business in perfect security. The period of excitability in foreign policy about the middle of the century was followed by one of satiety. Economic life absorbed all energy and all interest. It was as if Switzerland were seeking to recuperate from past shocks in economic prosperity, and hence forgetting the dangers to which she was exposed in the centre of Europe. More and more, people yielded to cosmopolitan ideals; they found visible expression in a number of international organizations which set up their headquarters in Switzerland. The innate preference of the Swiss for home affairs grew into political introversion. It was only gradually and in the teeth of tenacious opposition that a scanty diplomatic representation abroad could be maintained. The consulates were for the most part honorary posts, while in the Swiss Foreign Office was given the characteristic title of Political Department.
