Giuseppe Motta facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Giuseppe Motta
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Motta circa 1915
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| President of the League of Nations | |
| In office 1924–1925 |
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| Preceded by | Cosme de la Torriente |
| Succeeded by | Raoul Dandurand |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 December 1871 Airolo, Switzerland |
| Died | 23 January 1940 (aged 68) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Known for | Member of the Swiss Federal Council (1911-1940) |
Giuseppe Motta (born December 29, 1871 – died January 23, 1940) was an important Swiss politician. He was a member of the Swiss Federal Council from 1911 to 1940. This is like being part of Switzerland's main government. He also served as the President of the League of Nations from 1924 to 1925. The League of Nations was an early international group that tried to keep peace in the world. Motta was a Catholic-conservative foreign minister and strongly against communism.
Contents
Giuseppe Motta's Life and Career
Early Life and Entering Politics
Giuseppe Motta was born on December 29, 1871. He was elected to the Federal Council of Switzerland on December 14, 1911. The Federal Council is the seven-member executive body that leads the Swiss government. Motta served for 28 years, which is one of the longest times anyone has been on the Council. He was part of the Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland.
Key Roles in Government
While in office, Motta held several important positions. From 1912 to 1919, he led the Department of Finance. This meant he was in charge of Switzerland's money and budget. After that, from 1920 to 1940, he headed the Political Department. In this role, he managed Switzerland's relationships with other countries.
Motta was also elected President of the Confederation five times. This is a special role in Switzerland, where one member of the Federal Council acts as the head of state for a year. He served as President in 1915, 1920, 1927, 1932, and 1937.
Involvement with the League of Nations
Giuseppe Motta played a big part in Switzerland joining the League of Nations on May 16, 1920. The League of Nations was an organization formed after World War I to promote peace and cooperation among countries. In 1924, he became the President of the League of Nations Assembly.
Motta had strong opinions about which countries should join the League. He suggested that Switzerland should be one of the few countries to vote against the Soviet Union joining. However, he was one of the strongest supporters for Germany to be admitted.
Swiss Neutrality and World War II
During the time between the two World Wars, Motta sometimes thought that Switzerland's rule of neutrality could be a little flexible. Neutrality means not taking sides in conflicts between other countries. But from 1938, as World War II was about to begin, he strongly argued that Switzerland should stick strictly to its neutrality.
Giuseppe Motta died while still in office on January 23, 1940. He was 68 years old.
Honoring Giuseppe Motta
Places Named After Him
Many places in Switzerland are named after Giuseppe Motta to remember his contributions. For example, there are streets called via Giuseppe Motta in cities like Lugano, Chiasso, Minusio, and Massagno. There is also Piazza Giuseppe Motta in Ascona and Avenue Giuseppe-Motta in Geneva.
The Giuseppe Motta Medal
Since 2004, an award called the Giuseppe Motta Medal has been given out every year. The Geneva Institute for Democracy and Development presents this medal to people from anywhere in the world. It honors those who have done amazing things to promote peace, democracy, human rights, and sustainable development.
See also
In Spanish: Giuseppe Motta para niños
