Switzerland in the Cold War 19451990

The Cold War between the Soviet Union and the USA shaped world politics for almost half a century. In neutral Switzerland, which firmly sided with the West, this war was colder than elsewhere. The enemy, who threatened with atomic bombs and sought to infiltrate Switzerland with communism, was based in Moscow. The consequences of this imagination included a fierce anti-communism, an expanding state security apparatus, comprehensive preparations for a nuclear war, and the development of its own nuclear weapons. Few other countries experienced the Cold War as intensely as Switzerland. Thomas Buomberger's study describes for the first time how the conflict of the superpowers affected Swiss politics and society. His history of mentalities revives the mood of the time through many examples and shows why Switzerland remained in a state of paranoia for decades.