The Swiss National Bank and the 1936 Franc Devaluation

In September 1936, Switzerland shocked the world by devaluing its franc by 30 percent. This episode tells the story of that decision—a secret, desperate gamble that saved Swiss exports and preserved the country's neutrality during the Great Depression. We explore the role of the Swiss National Bank, the political battles between the Federal Council and the Swiss People's Party precursor, the influence of banker Hermann Buhlmann and economist Gottlieb Duttweiler, and the surprising aftermath: a boom in watchmaking and chocolate. Along the way, we ask: did this devaluation set the stage for Switzerland's post-war banking dominance? And what does it say about the myth of Swiss stability? #Switzerland #FrancDevaluation #1936 #SwissNationalBank #GreatDepression #Neutrality #Exports #HermannBuhlmann #GottliebDuttweiler #Economics #MonetaryPolicy #GoldStandard #FederalCouncil #Migros #Watchmaking #Chocolate #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo