Jakob Tanner

Jakob Tanner is Professor Emeritus of Modern History at the University of Zurich. Between 1996 and 2001, he was a member of the Bergier Commission.

Marcel Beck and his thoughts on the post-war order

Jakob Tanner 18.12.2025 Marcel Beck was making the case for domestic reform as early as 1940. In 1942, his diary was full of discussions on restructuring Switzerland along democratic lines.

Marcel Beck worked in the National Library in Bern. That is where he formulated his thoughts and did his work during the war.

Hammer and sickle on the Gotthard

Jakob Tanner 16.12.2025 Medievalist Marcel Beck kept a diary throughout his military service. It reveals a different, rarely seen side of active service during the Second World War.

Letter-writing was part of everyday life during the Second World War, as depicted in this photo from 1942. Some people, like Marcel Beck, also wrote diaries.