LETTER FROM ZURICH
Doris Leuthard, former president of the Swiss Federal Council, once denied Swiss involvement in slavery and colonization. But now, a groundbreaking exhibition at the Musée National Suisse in Zurich sheds light on Swiss participation in global exploitation over the centuries.
From the 16th century, Swiss entrepreneurs and institutions were deeply entrenched in the slave trade and colonial enterprises, contributing to the early stages of globalization. The exhibition reveals 11 key areas of Swiss involvement, including banking and trade in commodities like sugar, coffee, and textiles.
‘Accomplices’
Recent research has exposed Switzerland’s deep involvement in Western imperialism and the transatlantic slave trade. The critical assessment of this history is crucial in understanding the global impact of Swiss actions in the context of colonialism and exploitation.