Historians estimate that throughout human history, there have been anywhere between 100,000 to 300,000 wars. Since the end of the First World War, for instance, which occurred roughly a century ago, there have been 260 major wars in the world. In other words, humans like wars, whether we like to admit it or not.
However, there are certain nations out there that have arguably never tried to invade other countries. But even so, we must mention that historical records might not capture every event, while the definition of “conquer” can also be the subject of debate. What’s for sure is that there are nations out there that have a reputation for not engaging in aggressive territorial expansions, as the historical records reveal.
Switzerland:
Switzerland is historically known for its policy of neutrality and its emphasis on a defensive strategy rather than an offensive approach. For instance, this European country hasn’t been involved in either one of the two world wars that took place between 1914-1918 and 1939-1945, respectively. The country’s topography, much of it being mountainous, has helped it not to be invaded by any of its neighbors. During World War I and II, a total of over 76 million people lost their lives.
Lichtenstein:
Lichtenstein represents a small landlocked country in Central Europe where about 40,000 people live, and the country is known for maintaining a policy of neutrality. Lichtenstein has not been known for territorial conquests, and the country’s pacifist stance could be attributed to a combination of geopolitical, historical, and practical factors. It is believed that the small country has historically followed suit of its larger neighbor, Switzerland.
Japan:
Japan is the home of roughly 125 million people, and we’re talking about one of the most prosperous countries in the world. For much of the Japanese history, the Asian country focused on internal development and regional security rather than invading other countries militarily. However, it’s very important not to forget about Japan’s involvement in World War II, as it is estimated that the Japanese military murdered around 30 million civilians in their supposed “liberation attempt” of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere from colonial rule. Roughly 23 million of these people were ethnic Chinese.
Sweden:
Although Sweden might have also had its fair share of conflicts, the European country is often cited as an example of a nation that has not engaged in military aggression for a prolonged period, such as in recent centuries. On the other hand, it’s also true that Sweden participated in conflicts during its imperial past.
Costa Rica:
Costa Rica chose to abolish its military more than half a century ago and shortly after the end of the Second World War – in 1949, to be more precise. The country from Central America has maintained a commitment to a peaceful foreign policy, and it doesn’t have any standing army even today. Instead, it emphasizes diplomatic solutions when it comes to conflicts.
Andorra:
Andorra is a small principality from the eastern Pyrenees where 80,000 people live. This small country has historically maintained a policy of neutrality by not engaging in military invasions. It is believed that the small size, historical context, tradition of neutrality, as well as geographical location are the factors that contributed to the lack of military involvement of Andorra.
Ultimately, perhaps we all know that there are different interpretations of historical events out there, but it’s still great to know that there are nations that have mostly preferred not to engage in aggressive expansions of their territories.
