So why has Switzerland not been conquered and split between Hitler's Germany, Mussolini's Italy, and Vichy France like so many people in those countries intended at the time? Sure, Switzerland had a government at the time but they were definitely the small, loosely organized group between three large groups under downright evil leadership and still their independence remains unbroken.
This isn't supposed to be a "gotcha" but an example how free people can hold their own against overwhelming odds.
My other examples are the federation of Greek cities against the massive Persian empire and 13 mostly rural patches of dirt against the might of the second biggest empire in history (the British, that is).
The latter two had to resort to violence to gain or keep their independence but they succeeded nonetheless.