until 1719 1848-1918






Liechtenstein, 1719-1848



For the Princes of Liechtenstein, combined Vaduz-Schellenberg - the new Principality of Liechtenstein - was not the most important estate they owned; their lands in Bohemia were more extensive and brought in more revenue. Neither did it offer an impressive residence; the Princes of Liechtenstein preferred to continue residing in Vienna. The main difference of their many other estates and Vaduz-Schellenberg (Liechtenstein) was their respective status - the estates in Bohemia were mediate, thus part of Bohemia (and the Liechtensteiners therefore could claim representation in the Bohemian diet); Vaduz-Schellenberg was immediate, thus part of nothing but the Holy Roman Empire, and the Liechtenstein Princes could claim representation in the Imperial Diet. This difference provides the foundation for the independence of Liechtenstein today.
The principality was ruled as an absolute monarchy - Vaduz-Schellenberg, lacking cities, monasteries and nobles, did not provide the institutions represented in 18th century diets. In the First War of the Coalition, the Principality of Liechtenstein provided 15 men infantry and two men cavalry, to the Swabian Federation. From 1704 to 1796 Liechtenstein was occupied by the Austrians. The Treaty of Luneville precisely fixed the borders of Liechtenstein. In 1803 the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved; while most of the smaller imperial territories were annexed by larger neighbours, Liechtenstein, squeezed in between Switzerland and Austria, avoided that fate, even after Austrian Vorarlberg and Tyrol were granted to Bavaria by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1805. In 1806 Liechtenstein joined the Confederation of the Rhine.
Liechtenstein continued in her orientation on Austria; on Jan. 1st 1809 the Austrian Civil Code was introduced.
The Vienna Congress reconfirmed the independence of Liechtenstein, which joined the German Federation in 1815. In that year, the country had about 6,000 inhabitants. In 1817 the country suffered a famine. On Nov. 9th 1818, Liechtenstein was given a constitution. In 1842 the princely family moved, from their palace in Vienna, into Vaduz castle. In 1846, Vaduz suffered from a severe inundation. In 1848 there was unrest in Liechtenstein.






EXTERNAL
FILES
DOCUMENTS
REFERENCE Pierre Raton, Liechtenstein, History and Institutions of the Principality, Vaduz (1949) 1970


This page is part of World History at KMLA
First posted July 31st 2003, last revised on November 10th 2004

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