Liechtenstein

On January 23, 1719, Emperor Charles VI decreed the formation of the Principality of Liechtenstein by combining the two lordships of Schellenberg and Vaduz. This act officially recognized Liechtenstein as a sovereign member state of the Holy Roman Empire. The union of these lands under the sovereignty of Anton Florian of Liechtenstein marked the beginning of Liechtenstein's status as an independent principality, laying the foundation for the modern nation.

Liechtenstein became a sovereign state in 1806 when Prince Johann I joined the Confederation of the Rhine, a group of client states of the French Empire. By joining the Confederation, Liechtenstein gained full sovereignty, as the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved shortly thereafter, and the Confederation acted as a protectorate of France under Napoleonic safety. This marked the first genuine independence of the principality.

In 1868, Liechtenstein disbanded its army, which consisted of about 80 men at the time. This was a result of the Austro-Prussian War and the formation of the North German Confederation, where the cost of maintaining troops was deemed too burdensome for such a small state. Since then, Liechtenstein has maintained a neutral policy without a military, relying on diplomacy and a commitment to neutrality for its defense.

In 1924, Liechtenstein entered into a customs union with Switzerland, significantly integrating its economy with its larger neighbor. This agreement allowed Liechtenstein to adopt the Swiss franc as its currency and facilitated the free movement of goods and services between the two countries. The customs union helped stabilize Liechtenstein's economy and furthered political ties with Switzerland, establishing a model of cooperation and mutual benefit.

Prince Franz Joseph II became the ruler of Liechtenstein on March 28, 1938. He was the first reigning monarch of Liechtenstein to take up permanent residence in the country, moving into Vaduz Castle. His reign saw the principality navigate the complexities of European geopolitics during World War II and its aftermath, establishing policies that secured Liechtenstein's neutrality and economic stability while fostering development and modernization.

On July 26, 1984, women in Liechtenstein were finally granted the right to vote in national elections, following a national referendum where 51.3% of voters supported extending women's suffrage. This was a significant event in the country's history as Liechtenstein was one of the last European countries to grant women the right to vote, highlighting the traditional aspects of its political system. This marked a crucial step towards gender equality in Liechtenstein.

On September 18, 1990, Liechtenstein joined the United Nations as its 160th member state. Becoming a UN member was a significant step for Liechtenstein, affirming its full existence as a sovereign and independent country on the international stage. Membership allowed Liechtenstein to engage more actively in international cooperation and diplomacy, aligning with its longstanding commitment to neutrality and peaceful engagement in world affairs.

Liechtenstein became a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) on May 1, 1995, allowing it to participate in the single European market while remaining outside the European Union. The EEA membership provided Liechtenstein with access to the EU's internal market, ensuring the free movement of goods, services, capital, and persons. This was essential for Liechtenstein's economy, given its small size and limited domestic market.

On August 15, 2004, Prince Hans-Adam II appointed his son, Hereditary Prince Alois, as regent of Liechtenstein. This decision was made so that Hans-Adam could focus on the strategic and diplomatic representation of the country, while his son handled state affairs. Alois took over many of the day-to-day responsibilities of the state, marking a significant transfer of powers within the Liechtenstein monarchy that ensured continuity in governance.

On December 12, 2011, Liechtenstein ratified an agreement with the United States to improve international tax compliance through information exchange. The agreement was part of efforts to increase transparency and combat tax evasion, aligning Liechtenstein's financial regulations with global standards. This marked a significant shift in Liechtenstein's policy towards international cooperation on financial matters, balancing its sovereign interests with international expectations.