n Portugal’s banks (Smith 49). Turkey was the one neutral that probably played the least important role in the management of Germany’s funds (Smith 49). Turkey was similar to Portugal in many ways, including the fact that they were both quite important geographically (Smith 49). At first, the Turks only dealt with the British, but later aided the Americans as well. This did not stop them from trading with Germany either (Smith 49). Money was the only thing that mattered to Turkey, at the time (Smith 49). Sweden’s banks, on the other hand, played a very important role in the storage of German loot (Smith 49). Of all the neutrals, Sweden seemed to be the only one who actually understood that its independence remained only as long as it helped Germany (Smith 49). Sweden knew it would have to make sacrifices to retain their neutrality. Nothing the Allies said or did could force Sweden to stop dealing with Nazi Germany (Smith 49). Still, by the summer of 1944, the Swedish support of Hitler’s regime began to fade (Smith 49). Unfortunately, economic relations between Sweden and Germany did not end until December of that year (Smith 50). Finally, Switzerland was the most important neutral in Hitler’s map of supporters (Smith 50). The independent nation was also the most difficult for the Allies to deal with (Smith 50). As one American said, “‘If the Swedes were stubborn, the Swiss were the cube of stubbornness.’” (Smith 50) Though Switzerland seemed like a frail, pathetic nation, it was a crucial part in Hitler’s plans. The Swiss felt that Germany would be the one strong country that would control most of Europe with their superior military and excellent strategies. They thought that as long as they helped Germany, Hitler would in turn protect Switzerland’s claim to neutrality (Smith 50). Switzerland held a refuge from Hitler’s Gestapo for numerous Jews…...
