  
|   
THE
HISTORY OF LIECHTENSTEIN
| Liechtenstein
was made part of the Rhine Confederacy by Napoleon in 1806. At that time, Napoleon
founded a union of 16 regions of the German Reich that recognized him as their
protector. He officially granted them independence, and so Liechtenstein also
attained sovereignty. At the Viennese Congress of 1815, Liechtenstein became part
of the German Confederation. The dissolution of the German Confederation in 1866
marked the final separation of Liechtenstein from Germany. There has not been
an army in Liechtenstein since 1868. From 1852 to 1919, a customs agreement existed
between Liechtenstein and the Dual Monarchy Austria-Hungary.
Liechtenstein
has seen a great progress under recent heads of state, particularly since the
beginning of the reign of Johann II (1858-1929). The modern development of the
country is largely due to his granting of a constitution in 1862 and the liberal
democratic constitution of 1921 that still holds good today. The new connections
between Liechtenstein and Switzerland also developed in his time, culminating
with the signing of the customs agreement in 1923. The Swiss Franc has been the
monetary unit of Liechtenstein since 1924.
Prince Franz Josef II was the
first prince to take up permanent residence in Liechtenstein. He died on November
13, 1989 after a reign of 51 years. Immediately after the death of Prince Franz
Josef II, his oldest son succeeded him as Prince Hans-Adam II.
In 1978,
Liechtenstein joined the Council of Europe, in 1990 it was accepted as a member
of the United Nations, 1991 followed membership in the EFTA and in 1995 in the
European Economic Area.
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