Liechtenstein History

Europe Liechtenstein

Political and Administrative 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.