Schweizerischer Vaterländischer Verband
Encyclopedia
Schweizerischer Vaterländischer Verband (Swiss Patriotic Federation or SVV) was a right wing organisation influential in Swiss
politics before World War II
.
The SVV was set up in 1918 by Dr. Eugen Bircher
to oppose 'international emigration', which in effect became anti-Semitism
, with the group holding The Protocols of the Elders of Zion
as fact, alongside a similar work Aufklärung zur Flüchtlingsfrage (Shedding Light on the Refugee Question). Bircher's position as a colonel in the Swiss Army was such that he was able to bring many high ranking officers in to the SVV, with Henri Guisan
amongst those to join up. Although not specifically Nazi in its outlook it did nonetheless seek to maintain cordial relations with Nazi Germany
.
Effectively open in its existence its membership was largely a closely guarded secret and as such the group became influential in driving government policy. Its influence was such that it was the only organisation with Nazi sympathies that was not closed down by the Swiss Federal Council
in 1945. It was not dissolved until after it got caught up in a bribery scandal in 1948.
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
politics before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
The SVV was set up in 1918 by Dr. Eugen Bircher
Eugen Bircher
Eugen Bircher was a Swiss politician and military leader who became associated with a pro-German position in the inter-war years.- Military and political career :...
to oppose 'international emigration', which in effect became anti-Semitism
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
, with the group holding The Protocols of the Elders of Zion
The Protocols of the Elders of Zion
The Protocols of the Elders of Zion is a fraudulent, antisemitic text purporting to describe a Jewish plan for achieving global domination. It was first published in Russia in 1903, translated into multiple languages, and disseminated internationally in the early part of the twentieth century...
as fact, alongside a similar work Aufklärung zur Flüchtlingsfrage (Shedding Light on the Refugee Question). Bircher's position as a colonel in the Swiss Army was such that he was able to bring many high ranking officers in to the SVV, with Henri Guisan
Henri Guisan
Henri Guisan was a Swiss army officer, and held the office of the General of the Swiss Army during World War II. He was the fourth and the most recent man to be appointed to the rarely used Swiss rank of General, and was possibly Switzerland's most famous soldier...
amongst those to join up. Although not specifically Nazi in its outlook it did nonetheless seek to maintain cordial relations with Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
.
Effectively open in its existence its membership was largely a closely guarded secret and as such the group became influential in driving government policy. Its influence was such that it was the only organisation with Nazi sympathies that was not closed down by the Swiss Federal Council
Swiss Federal Council
The Federal Council is the seven-member executive council which constitutes the federal government of Switzerland and serves as the Swiss collective head of state....
in 1945. It was not dissolved until after it got caught up in a bribery scandal in 1948.