See also: League

When, during the Second world war, the Germans lead as of 1940 several victorious campaigns, Switzerland is borrowed. The Federal council (Swiss government), by the voice of his minister Pintail-Golaz, in a speech of June 25th, 1940, will reveal an ambiguous position of the authorities.

These last preach " the adoption" " rate/rhythm of the événements". Denis de Rougemont founds in June 1940, with Professor Theophil Spoerri, the Ligue of Gothard , to be opposed to Hitler. Denis de Rougemont writes Proclamation of the League of ten pages which exposes the principles of a double orientation, at the same time active neutrality and return to the values founders of the Swiss ideal, of which federalism, to resist " at all costs " with totalitarianisms. The immediate means of the League rest on a personal demonstration of its members.

The League is structured fédéralement with regional antennas. Denis de Rougemont writes on June 17th, 1940 an article in the Gazette of Lausanne which will be worth to him to be sent to the United States on mission of conferences. In the facts, it will be rather about a relegation.