Book Review: Switzerland, National Socialism and the Second World War: Final Report

Authors

Joy Laudie

Keywords

Switzerland, Nationalism, Second World War

Abstract

In December of 1996, bowing to foreign pressure and criticism concerning the Swiss handling of dormant World War Two financial accounts, the Swiss government mandated an investigation. The Independent Commission of Experts Switzerland - Second World War (ICE) was given broad power to look into the scope and fate of assets acquired during the Nazi dictatorship of Europe. This was an unprecedented move that allowed private records to be viewed with scrutiny. Swiss companies that had operated during the period in question were required to allow access of their archives and banned from destroying any relevant documents. After five years of research, twenty-five volumes of information, and a broadening of its investigation to include other sensitive issues, the ICE produced Switzerland, National Socialism and the Second World War: Final Report. These almost 600 pages of self-assessment contain a comprehensive accounting of Swiss proceedings relating to World Warll.

Recommended Citation

Laudie, Joy (2008) "Book Review: Switzerland, National Socialism and the Second World War: Final Report," Swiss American Historical Society Review: Vol. 44: No. 3, Article 5.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/sahs_review/vol44/iss3/5