Swiss Neutrality

After being defeated by France in the Battle of Marignano in 1515, Switzerland decided to abandon its expansionist policies and in the interest of self-
preservation, looked to avoid future conflict. This only came to full force when it became a satellite of Napoleon Bonaparte's French Empire and after his defeat in the Battle of Waterloo, Swiss neutrality was seen by the European powers as a valuable buffer zone between France and Austria which would in turn contribute to stability in the region. At the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the Swiss signed a declaration that affirmed its neutrality within the international community. Switzerland had been fighting as an independent nation up until that point for 5 centuries and now, they would be no more war involvement for them forever.