Liechtenstein History

History
Liechtenstein was part of the old German Empire established in the 10th century. In 1719 the counties of Vaduz and Schellenberg were elevated to a principality in the hands of a branch of the House of Liechtenstein. It became independent after the dissolution of the Empire in 1806, and was recognized by Napoleon as a separate state.

In 1815 it joined the Germanic confederation, although property and tax issues were handled in the chancery court in Vienna, and civil and criminal court cases were recorded in Innsbruck. From 1852 until World War I it was part of the Austrian Customs Union. After the War it joined the Swiss customs union and now uses Swiss currency and diplomatic resources. 

Timeline
1719 - Liechtenstein became a sovereign member state of the Holy Roman Empire 1805 - The Holy Roman Empire came under the effective control of France, following a defeat by Napoleon 1815 - 1866 Liechtenstein joined the German Confederation, which was presided over by the Emperor of Austria 1868 - The Liechtenstein Army was disbanded for financial reasons 1872 - A railway line between Switzerland and the Austro-Hungarian Empire was constructed through Liechtenstein 1886 - Two bridges over the Rhine to Switzerland were built 1984 - Liechtenstein became the last country in Europe to grant women the right to vote ==References ==