Cannabis Ruderalis

thcscience_admin
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Tag: 2017 wikitext editor
m Duplicate word removed
Line 19: Line 19:


== Background ==
== Background ==
Following the outbreak of of [[World War I]] in August 1914, Liechtenstein remained neutral. The general population, however, was supportive of the [[Central Powers]], particularly [[Austria-Hungary]], which had been in a [[customs union]] with Liechtenstein since 1852. The majority of the Liechtenstein government did not expect the war to last long, thus no food or economic preparations were made for it.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Weltkrieg |first=Erster |date=31 December 2011 |title=Erster Weltkrieg |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Erster_Weltkrieg |access-date=28 September 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref>
Following the outbreak of [[World War I]] in August 1914, Liechtenstein remained neutral. The general population, however, was supportive of the [[Central Powers]], particularly [[Austria-Hungary]], which had been in a [[customs union]] with Liechtenstein since 1852. The majority of the Liechtenstein government did not expect the war to last long, thus no food or economic preparations were made for it.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Weltkrieg |first=Erster |date=31 December 2011 |title=Erster Weltkrieg |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Erster_Weltkrieg |access-date=28 September 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref>
[[File:Imhof Leopold.jpg|thumb|200x200px|[[Leopold Freiherr von Imhof]], Governor of Liechtenstein since April 1914]]
[[File:Imhof Leopold.jpg|thumb|200x200px|[[Leopold Freiherr von Imhof]], Governor of Liechtenstein since April 1914]]
From September, food deliveries from Austria-Hungary began to decrease, which quickly reduced the initial level of support for the war, due to Liechtenstein being reliant on them. In addition, due to the country's close ties to Austria-Hungary, Switzerland was forced to cease its food exports with Liechtenstein as the result of pressure from Britain and France to do so.<ref name=":1" /> In response, the Liechtenstein government, led by [[Leopold Freiherr von Imhof]], issued emergency commissions throughout the country on 14 December 1914. These commissions aimed to manage the procurement of food and raw materials, now in short supply, and to distribute them to the population.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quaderer |first=Rupert |date=31 December 2011 |title=Notstandskommissionen |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Notstandskommissionen |access-date=12 November 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref>
From September, food deliveries from Austria-Hungary began to decrease, which quickly reduced the initial level of support for the war, due to Liechtenstein being reliant on them. In addition, due to the country's close ties to Austria-Hungary, Switzerland was forced to cease its food exports with Liechtenstein as the result of pressure from Britain and France to do so.<ref name=":1" /> In response, the Liechtenstein government, led by [[Leopold Freiherr von Imhof]], issued emergency commissions throughout the country on 14 December 1914. These commissions aimed to manage the procurement of food and raw materials, now in short supply, and to distribute them to the population.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quaderer |first=Rupert |date=31 December 2011 |title=Notstandskommissionen |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Notstandskommissionen |access-date=12 November 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref>

Revision as of 12:51, 3 March 2024

November 1918 Liechtenstein putsch
Date7 November 1918
Location
Vaduz, Liechtenstein
Result Government of Leopold Freiherr von Imhof forced to resign and replaced by a Provisional Executive Committee led by Martin Ritter.
Belligerents
Christian-Social People's Party Independent or no organized group
Commanders and leaders

The November 1918 Liechtenstein putsch, also known as the Beck putsch (German: Novemberputsch 1918)[1] was a de facto coup d'état by the leaders of the Christian-Social People's Party (Christlich-Soziale Volkspartei or VP) against the government of Governor of Liechtenstein, Leopold Freiherr von Imhof. The coup forced Imhof's government to resign and established a Provisional Executive Committee in his place until 7 December.

Background

Following the outbreak of World War I in August 1914, Liechtenstein remained neutral. The general population, however, was supportive of the Central Powers, particularly Austria-Hungary, which had been in a customs union with Liechtenstein since 1852. The majority of the Liechtenstein government did not expect the war to last long, thus no food or economic preparations were made for it.[2]

Leopold Freiherr von Imhof, Governor of Liechtenstein since April 1914

From September, food deliveries from Austria-Hungary began to decrease, which quickly reduced the initial level of support for the war, due to Liechtenstein being reliant on them. In addition, due to the country's close ties to Austria-Hungary, Switzerland was forced to cease its food exports with Liechtenstein as the result of pressure from Britain and France to do so.[2] In response, the Liechtenstein government, led by Leopold Freiherr von Imhof, issued emergency commissions throughout the country on 14 December 1914. These commissions aimed to manage the procurement of food and raw materials, now in short supply, and to distribute them to the population.[3]

Despite this, food shortages increased as the war continued, and by 1916 all food deliveries from Austria-Hungary had ceased, which forced Liechtenstein to seek closer ties with Switzerland in order to ensure food deliveries continued.[2][4] As a result, smuggling within the country increased significantly for bringing food and raw materials into the country.[5] From 1916 Liechtenstein was embargoed by the Entente countries, which caused mass unemployment in the country.[6]

As the war continued, the population grew increasingly dissatisfied with Imhof's leadership.[2] This allowed for politicians such as Wilhelm Beck to gain prominence and growing support. Beck formed an opposition group, against Imhof, in 1914. This movement was supported by the Oberrheinische Nachrichten newspaper. This primarily advocated for the expansion of welfare, broader voting rights and a Liechtensteiner head of state (Imhof was Austrian).[7][8] Imhof soon faced accusations that the measures he took to address the economic crisis were inadequate and that he was incompetent.[9] Fierce debates took place between Beck and Imhof in the Landtag of Liechtenstein.[7] The Christian-Social People's Party was formed in February 1918 on the basis of Beck's ideals and in the 1918 Liechtenstein general election it won five out of thirteen seats in the Landtag.[10][11]

Coup

Wilhelm Beck
Fritz Walser
Martin Ritter

In November 1918, Beck joined with the Landtag members Martin Ritter and Fritz Walser, who were deeply dissatisfied with Imhof's handling of the economy and who wanted a Liechtensteiner head of state. The three men plotted to overthrow Imhof.[7][12] On 7 November 1918, they proposed a motion of no confidence in the Landtag against him. Imhof asked for a vote of confidence and at the same time agreed to submit his resignation. While the Landtag unanimously expressed its confidence in him it was decided by the elected members, against the constitution and the princely appointed Landtag members, to transfer the power of governor to a Provisional Executive Committee led by Martin Ritter.[1]

Imhof attempted to resist the establishment of the committee but was unsuccessful in doing so.[9] Other figures who opposed Beck's ideals, such as Albert Schädler, had also attempted to prevent the establishment.[13] Prince Johann II accepted Imhof's resignation on 13 November.[9][14] Schädler met with Johann II for talks in Vienna, where it was agreed that Prince Karl Aloys of Liechtenstein would be appointed governor upon the committee's conclusion the following month.[15]

Aftermath and legacy

Within the general population of Liechtenstein the coup was popular, as Imhof was largely seen as the reason for the country's economic crisis. However, in the Landtag it was far more controversial.[16] Martin Ritter in particular was a controversial figure in the government, due to him being the first Liechtensteiner head of government and because he had come to power through unconstitutional means, having only served for one month, from 7 November to 7 December 1918.[12][17] In response to the coup, all three members of the Landtag appointed by Johann II resigned in protest.[16]

Johann II reportedly responded with reservation in response to the coup. He remained in Vienna throughout the committee's duration but did not make any efforts to act against it, primarily due to its popularity within the country. The committee did not intend to break with the monarchy, its proclamation itself ended with the phrase "May the prince and the country live long." An expression of his involvement in state affairs was a telegram sent by his office to Albert Schädler:[15]

His Majesty reacted with reservation to the fact that a committee had taken over power in the country. Official decisions on the committee will follow.

— Prince's office on behalf of Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein, [15]

The coup had directly undermined the 1862 Constitution of Liechtenstein and in combination with the economic devastation created from World War I it had created a large and significant basis of support for constitutional revision in the country.[18] This would begin a period of the next three years where both the Progressive Citizens' Party and Christian-Social People's Party worked together in creating a new constitution based on a constitutional monarchy, which was ratified on 5 October 1921.[19][20]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Novemberputsch 1918". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d Weltkrieg, Erster (31 December 2011). "Erster Weltkrieg". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  3. ^ Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Notstandskommissionen". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  4. ^ "10,000 NEUTRALS STARVING.; Swiss Government Sends Food to Liechtenstein Population". The New York Times. 21 March 1915. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
  5. ^ Burgmeier, Markus (31 December 2011). "Schmuggel". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  6. ^ Marxer, Roland (31 December 2011). "Neutralität". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  7. ^ a b c Leipold-Schneider, Gerda (31 December 2011). "Beck, Wilhelm". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  8. ^ Marxer, Wilfried (31 December 2011). "Oberrheinische Nachrichten". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  9. ^ a b c Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Imhof, Leopold Baron von". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  10. ^ Vincent E McHale (1983) Political parties of Europe, Greenwood Press, p609 ISBN 0-313-23804-9
  11. ^ Dieter Nohlen; Philip Stöver (2010). Elections in Europe: A data handbook (in German). p. 1182. ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7.
  12. ^ a b Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Ritter, Martin". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  13. ^ Rheinberger, Rudolf (31 December 2011). "Schädler, Albert". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  14. ^ "Mitglieder der Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 1862–2021". www.regierung.li.
  15. ^ a b c Jureczko, Andrzej; Wac, Ewa (2007). Historia Liechtensteinu. W: Historia małych krajów Europy [History of Liechtenstein. In: History of small European countries] (in Polish). Ossolineum. pp. 106–107. ISBN 978-83-04-04937-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  16. ^ a b Rupert, Quaderer. "Der 7. November 1918. Staatsstreich – Putsch – Revolution oder politisches Spektakel im Kleinstaat Liechtenstein?". Jahrbuch des Historischen Vereins für das Fürstentum Liechtenstein. 93: 204–212.
  17. ^ "Mitglieder der Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 1862–2021". www.regierung.li.
  18. ^ Rupert, Quaderer. "Der 7. November 1918. Staatsstreich – Putsch – Revolution oder politisches Spektakel im Kleinstaat Liechtenstein?". Jahrbuch des Historischen Vereins für das Fürstentum Liechtenstein. 93: 212–216.
  19. ^ Quaderer, Rupert (31 December 2011). "Schlossabmachungen (Septemberabmachungen, Schloss-Protokoll)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  20. ^ Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, p1156 ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=November_1918_Liechtenstein_putsch&diff=prev&oldid=1211606600

Leave a Reply