A neutral country is a state that is neutral towards belligerents in a specific war or holds itself as permanently neutral in all future conflicts. As a type of non-combatant status, nationals of neutral countries enjoy protection under the law of war from belligerent actions to a greater extent than other non-combatants such as enemy civilians and prisoners of war. Different countries interpret their neutrality differently: some, such as Costa Rica have demilitarized, while Switzerland holds to "armed neutrality", to deter aggression with a sizeable military, while barring itself from foreign deployment.
Sweden had a policy of neutrality in armed conflicts from the early 19th century, until 2009, when it entered into various mutual defence treaties with the European Union (EU), and other Nordic countries. The policy originated largely as a result of Sweden's involvement in the Napoleonic Wars, during which over a third of the country's territory was lost in the Finnish War (1808–1809), including the traumatic loss of Finland to Russia, which it remained part of until Finland gained independence in 1917. Resentment towards the Swedish king Gustav IV Adolf, who had consistently pursued an anti-Napoleonic policy and thereby caused the war, precipitated a coup d'état known as the Coup of 1809. The new regime deposed the king and introduced the Instrument of Government (1809), later formulating a new foreign policy that became known as The Policy of 1812.
Washington's Farewell Address is a letter written by President George Washington as a valedictory to "friends and fellow-citizens" after 20 years of public service to the United States. He wrote it near the end of the second term of his presidency before retiring to his home at Mount Vernon in Virginia.
Non-interventionism or non-intervention is commonly understood as "a foreign policy of political or military non-involvement in foreign relations or in other countries' internal affairs". This is based on the grounds that a state should not interfere in the internal politics of another state as well as the principles of state sovereignty and self-determination. A similar phrase is "strategic independence".
The neutral powers were countries that remained neutral during World War II. Some of these countries had large colonies abroad or had great economic power. Spain had just been through its civil war, which ended on 1 April 1939 —a war that involved several countries that subsequently participated in World War II.
One of the main principles of Switzerland's foreign policy is that Switzerland is not to be involved in armed conflicts between other states. This policy is self-imposed and designed to ensure external security and promote peace.
The 1829 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 7th President of the United States, Andrew Jackson, on December 8, 1829, to the 21st United States Congress. This was Jackson's first address to Congress after his election, and it set the tone for his presidency, emphasizing limited government, states’ rights, and the removal of Native Americans from their lands.
The European Union (EU) is an institution of its own kind consisting of member states being part of an alliance as well as military neutral member states while developing a Common Foreign and Security Policy for the union as a whole. The military neutral member states are Austria, Ireland and Malta. Previous military neutral states are Finland and Sweden.
Switzerland is a neutral European country, which is not a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Since 1996, Switzerland has participated in NATO's Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme. Switzerland is surrounded by the European Union but not an EU member itself, thereby also maintaining its neutrality with regard to EU membership and the EU mutual defence clause enshrined in Article 42.7 of the consolidated version of the Treaty on European Union, although the EU treaty also provides for neutral countries to maintain their neutrality.
Bamboo diplomacy refers to Vietnam's distinctive approach to foreign relations, rooted in principles of flexibility, resilience, and independence. The concept draws inspiration from the bamboo plant, which holds deep cultural significance in Vietnam. Just as bamboo has strong roots, a sturdy trunk, and flexible branches, this diplomatic strategy emphasizes maintaining a firm stance on national sovereignty and independence while adapting to the complex and shifting dynamics of global geopolitics. First introduced in 2016 by Nguyen Phu Trong, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, bamboo diplomacy has become a central tenet of Vietnam's foreign policy, guiding the country's engagement with both traditional and emerging global powers.
The 1811 State of the Union Address was delivered by the fourth President, James Madison, on November 5, 1811. Addressing the Twelfth United States Congress, Madison emphasized the ongoing diplomatic and economic challenges posed by Great Britain and France, both of which were violating U.S. neutral trading rights amidst the Napoleonic Wars.
The 1822 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 5th president of the United States James Monroe to the 17th United States Congress on December 3, 1822.
The 1823 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 5th president of the United States James Monroe to the 18th United States Congress on December 2, 1823.
The 1831 State of the Union Address was delivered by the seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson, on December 6, 1831, to the 22nd United States Congress. In his third annual message, Jackson highlighted the continued prosperity of the United States, focusing on agricultural success, growth in manufacturing, and advancements in internal improvements. He credited these developments to the nation's free institutions and stressed the importance of maintaining the Union.
The 1835 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 7th president of the United States, Andrew Jackson, on December 8, 1835, to the 24th United States Congress. This was Jackson's seventh annual message, and he used it to reflect on both domestic successes and challenges as his presidency neared its conclusion. He emphasized the nation's growing prosperity, highlighting the "unexampled growth and prosperity" of the United States, and stressed the importance of unity to avoid the internal conflicts that had disrupted other nations.
The 1850 State of the Union address was delivered by the 13th president of the United States Millard Fillmore to the 31st United States Congress on December 2, 1850. This was Fillmore's first address after assuming office following the death of President Zachary Taylor. In this speech, he presented his vision for the nation and the principles that would guide his administration. William R. King, the president of the Senate, and Howell Cobb, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, presided over the session.
The 1853 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 14th president of the United States, Franklin Pierce, to the 33rd United States Congress on December 5, 1853. This address marked Pierce's first annual message to Congress, emphasizing themes of national prosperity, international relations, and the importance of federal restraint in domestic policy. Pierce opened by celebrating the peace and prosperity the United States was experiencing, calling it "a time of remarkable progress" and "unusual blessings." He emphasized the importance of national integrity and suggested that the nation's success was sustained by the favor of Providence.
The 1855 State of the Union Address was delivered by the 14th president of the United States, Franklin Pierce, to the 34th United States Congress on December 31, 1855.
The 1870 State of the Union address was delivered by the 18th President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant on December 5, 1870, to the 41st United States Congress. This was Grant’s second annual message, emphasizing Reconstruction, foreign relations, and domestic reforms.
The 1879 State of the Union address was delivered by the 19th president of the United States, Rutherford B. Hayes, to the 46th United States Congress on December 1, 1879, in the House Chamber of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Speaker of the House, Samuel J. Randall, and Vice President William A. Wheeler presided over the joint session.
