Neutral powers during World War II
During World War II, the neutral powers took no official side, hoping to avoid attack.
The United States remained officially neutral until 8 December 1941, a day following the attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor.
The Lateran Treaty between Italy and the Holy See, signed in 1929, required that the Pope maintain "perpetual neutrality in international relations".
Iran was also attacked and occupied by Britain and the Soviet Union in August 1941 and later declared war on Nazi Germany.
In a study of Spain, Switzerland, and Sweden during the Second World War, Eric Golson found that they engaged in economic realpolitik, as they traded with both the Axis and the Allied Powers.
Allies after the
attack on Pearl Harbor
Neutral countries
