Editing History of Liechtenstein (section)

==Liechtenstein during the world wars==

=== World War I ===
Liechtenstein did not participate in [[World War I]], claiming neutrality. However, until the end of the war, it was closely tied to [[Austria-Hungary]] due to the customs union between the two countries and was sympathetic to the [[Central Powers]]. 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=":15">{{Cite web |last=Quaderer |first=Rupert |author-link=Rupert Quaderer |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> At the outbreak of the war [[French Third Republic|France]], [[Russian Empire|Russia]] and the [[United Kingdom]] interned Liechtensteiners and partially confiscated their assets.<ref name=":5" /> As a result, the Liechtenstein government made various declarations that the country was neutral and a separate entity from Austria-Hungary.<ref name=":15" />

From September, food deliveries from Austria-Hungary, which Liechtenstein relied on, began to decrease. This quickly reduced the initial level of support for the war. In addition, Switzerland was pressured by Britain and France to end its food exports to Liechtenstein due to the latter's close ties to Austria-Hungary.<ref name=":15" /> 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 |author-link=Rupert Quaderer |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>

Foreign citizens living in Liechtenstein were conscripted into the armies of their respective home countries, primarily Austria-Hungary and [[German Empire|Germany]], of which 27 did not return. In addition, many Liechtensteiners also voluntarily enlisted in both armies, including several members of the house of Liechtenstein. In total, 4 Liechtenstein citizens are known to have been killed in the war despite the country being neutral, including [[Prince Heinrich of Liechtenstein]], who is the highest member of the house of Liechtenstein to have been killed in action.<ref name=":15" /> Three Liechtensteiners were imprisoned for [[espionage]] during the war.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last1=Geiger |first1=Peter |author1-link=Peter Geiger |last2=Quaderer |first2=Rupert |author-link2=Rupert Quaderer |date=31 December 2011 |title=Spionage |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Spionage |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref>[[File:1916 Liechtenstein smugglers.jpg|thumb|A group of Liechtensteiner smugglers on pontoons, 1916.]]The [[Entente powers]] imposed an economic embargo on Liechtenstein in 1916.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Marxer |first=Roland |date=31 December 2011 |title=Neutralität |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Neutralität |access-date=28 September 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref> The country faced economic devastation and food shortages as a result due to the lack of natural resources, which increased smuggling within the country significantly and forced the country to reduce its reliance on Austria-Hungary and seek closer economic ties with Switzerland.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Burgmeier |first=Markus |date=31 December 2011 |title=Schmuggel |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Schmuggel |access-date=12 November 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":15" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=21 March 1915 |title=10,000 NEUTRALS STARVING.; Swiss Government Sends Food to Liechtenstein Population. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1915/03/21/archives/10000-neutrals-starving-swiss-government-sends-food-to.html |access-date=6 October 2023 |work=[[The New York Times]] |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
{{Further information|November 1918 Liechtenstein putsch}}
As the war dragged on, the country faced increasing civil unrest and dissatisfaction, particularly of that towards to the government of Leopold Freiherr von Imhof.<ref name=":05">{{Cite web |last=Quaderer |first=Rupert |author-link=Rupert Quaderer |date=31 December 2011 |title=Imhof, Leopold Baron von |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Imhof,_Leopold_Freiherr_von |access-date=3 October 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref> Figures such as [[Wilhelm Beck]] formed an opposition group against him, and in November 1918 he was subject of a de facto [[coup d'état]] against him. The coup forced Imhof's government to resign and the establishment of a [[Provisional Executive Committee (Liechtenstein)|Provisional Executive Committee]] in his place until 7 December headed by [[Martin Ritter]], who was the first Liechtensteiner head of government.<ref name=":04">{{Cite web |last=Quaderer |first=Rupert |author-link=Rupert Quaderer |date=31 December 2011 |title=Novemberputsch 1918 |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Novemberputsch_1918 |access-date=3 October 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref> Despite diplomatic efforts by Liechtenstein, they received no representation in the negotiations or signing of the [[Treaty of Versailles]], though the country received indirect recognition of its sovereignty in the [[Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1919)|Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye]].<ref name=":15" />

=== Interwar period (1919–1939) ===
In 1919, following the [[dissolution of Austria-Hungary]] the Liechtenstein government could no longer rely on Austria to fulfil their monetary and diplomatic needs. Liechtenstein and Switzerland signed a treaty under which [[Switzerland]] assumed the representation of Liechtenstein's interests at the diplomatic and consular level in countries where it maintains a representation and Liechtenstein does not.<ref name="représenter">{{cite web |title=Le Conseil fédéral confirme le souhait de la Principauté de représenter ses intérêts à l'étranger et propose la création d'une commission mixte pour élaborer les modalités des futures relations bilatérales. |url=https://dodis.ch/64801 |access-date=2 February 2023 |website=Dodis.ch |date=11 July 1919 |publisher=Dodis}}</ref><ref name="Vertretung">{{cite web |title=Die liechtensteinische Gesandtschaft unterbreitet dem Politischen Departement die Grundlagen, auf welchen sich der Fürst die Vertretung des Fürstentums im Ausland wünscht. |url=https://dodis.ch/64800 |access-date=2 February 2023 |website=Dodis.ch |publisher=Dodis}}</ref> Liechtenstein adopted the [[Swiss franc]] in 1920 and the two countries entered a [[customs union]] in 1924.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Marxer |first=Roland |date=31 December 2011 |title=Zollanschlussvertrag |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Zollanschlussvertrag |access-date=25 October 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=6 December 2000 |title=Switzerland and Liechtenstein: December 2000 |url=http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/tpr_e/tp150_e.htm |access-date=16 September 2012 |publisher=[[World Trade Organization]]}}</ref> Liechtenstein applied to join the [[League of Nations]] in 1920, though unsuccessfully. Switzerland was the only country to vote in favour of their accession at the [[League of Nations Assembly]] on 17 December 1920, as opposed to 28 against.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Biland |first=Susanna |date=31 December 2011 |title=Völkerbund |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Völkerbund |access-date=25 October 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref>
[[File:1921_Constitution_of_Liechtenstein.png|thumb|Front page of the Liechtenstein constitution, as signed by [[Prince Karl Aloys of Liechtenstein|Prince Karl Aloys]] and [[Josef Ospelt]] on 5 October 1921.]]
The November 1918 putsch would begin a period of the next three years where both the [[Progressive Citizens' Party]] and [[Christian-Social People's Party (Liechtenstein)|Christian-Social People's Party]] worked together in creating a new constitution based on a [[constitutional monarchy]], much of which was loosely based on the [[Swiss Federal Constitution]].<ref name=":33">{{Cite web |last=Quaderer |first=Rupert |author-link=Rupert Quaderer |date=31 December 2011 |title=Schlossabmachungen (Septemberabmachungen, Schloss-Protokoll) |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Schlossabmachungen_(Septemberabmachungen,_Schloss-Protokoll) |access-date=18 September 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref><ref name=":14"/> The drafting process included prominent politicians such as Wilhelm Beck, [[Josef Ospelt]] and [[Josef Peer]], of which Beck and Peer created the first draft for the constitution. It was signed into law by [[Prince Karl Aloys of Liechtenstein|Prince Karl Aloys]] on behalf of Johann II and Josef Ospelt as a government representative on 5 October 1921.<ref name=":14" /> It established the rule of partial [[parliamentary democracy]] mixed with that of [[constitutional monarchy]], as well as providing for referendums on decisions of the Landtag.{{Sfn|Nohlen|Stöver|2010|p=1156}} It also abolished the three seats in the Landtag appointed by the Prince and lowered the voting age from 24 to 21 with [[universal male suffrage]].{{Sfn|Nohlen|Stöver|2010|p=1158}}

==== 1928 embezzlement scandal ====
{{Main article|1928 Liechtenstein embezzlement scandal}}
The country was subject to [[1928 Liechtenstein embezzlement scandal|an embezzlement scandal in 1928]], where it was revealed that leading members of the Christian-Social People's Party had embezzled funds from the [[National Bank of Liechtenstein]] into various speculative transactions. The scandal forced [[Schädler cabinet|the government]] of [[Gustav Schädler]] to resign and early elections to be called.<ref name=":07">{{Cite web |last=Büchel |first=Donat |date=31 December 2011 |title=Sparkassaskandal |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Sparkassaskandal |access-date=17 May 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref>

==== Rotter kidnapping ====
{{Main article|Rotter kidnapping}}

Since the rise of [[Nazi Germany]] in 1933 and the introduction of [[Anti-Jewish legislation in pre-war Nazi Germany|anti-Jewish laws]] in Germany, Liechtenstein experienced a large rise of [[Jews|Jewish]] emigrants to the country in which the government led by [[Josef Hoop]] had supported the [[naturalization]] of the refugees under a new citizenship law.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 May 1933 |title=Regierungschef Josef Hoop orientiert den Landtag über einen Entwurf für ein Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz |url=https://www.e-archiv.li/textDetail.aspx?backurl=auto&etID=41700&eID=1 |access-date=28 July 2023 |website=Staatsarchiv des Fürstentum Liechtenstein |language=de}}</ref> In doing this, Liechtenstein faced attacks from German press and internal sources such as the [[Liechtenstein Homeland Service]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 April 1933 |title=Die liechtensteinische Regierung protestiert gegen die deutsche Pressekampagne gegen Liechtenstein |url=https://www.e-archiv.li/textDetail.aspx?backurl=auto&etID=41287&eID=1 |access-date=28 July 2023 |website=Staatsarchiv des Fürstentum Liechtenstein |language=de}}</ref> Hoop personally attempted to temper relations with Germany through the use of private contacts and actively downplayed the threat of [[National-socialism]] within Liechtenstein.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 March 1933 |title=Regierungschef Josef Hoop bemüht sich über private Kontakte, der deutschen Pressekampagne gegen Liechtenstein entgegenzutreten |url=https://www.e-archiv.li/textDetail.aspx?backurl=auto&etID=41288&eID=1 |access-date=28 July 2023 |website=Staatsarchiv des Fürstentum Liechtenstein |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 July 1933 |title=Regierungschef Josef Hoop versichert Prinz Alois von Liechtenstein, dass von der Gründung der Ortsgruppe Liechtenstein der NSDAP keine Gefahr ausgehe |url=https://www.e-archiv.li/textDetail.aspx?backurl=auto&etID=41487&eID=1 |access-date=28 July 2023 |website=Staatsarchiv des Fürstentum Liechtenstein |language=de}}</ref> Most notably, German film directors and theatre managers Fritz and Alfred Rotter with a Jewish background were naturalized in Liechtenstein in 1931. Following German press and demands for their extradition local Liechtenstein Nazis used the event to kidnap the two men and forcefully return them to Nazi Germany in the [[Rotter kidnapping]]. However, this failed and as a result of a highly publicized trial it held back the formation of an organized Nazi party in Liechtenstein until 1938.<ref name=":010">{{Cite web |last=Editorial |date=16 August 2021 |title=Rotter-Entführung |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Rotter-Entführung |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref>

==== 1937 spy affair ====
{{Main article|1937 Liechtenstein spy affair}}
In January 1937, [[Carl Freiherr von Vogelsang]], it was revealed that the editor of ''[[Liechtensteiner Vaterland]]'' and a founding member of the [[Liechtenstein Homeland Service]], had sent a letter asking the police [[Friedrichshafen]] or the border guards in [[Lindau]] to arrest Ludwig Hasler, the head of the Liechtenstein tax office, claiming that his upcoming trip to Germany for a foreign exchange was a part of a conspiracy by German-Jewish emigrants three years prior in 1934.{{Sfn|Geiger|1997a|p=453}} As a result, Hoop ordered a search of the offices of the ''Vaterland'' for any incriminating letters and Vogelsang promptly left the country.{{Sfn|Geiger|1997a|p=454}}<ref name=":102">{{Cite web |last=Schremser |first=Jürgen |date=31 December 2011 |title=Vogelsang, Carl Freiherr von |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Vogelsang,_Carl_Freiherr_von |access-date=20 July 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref> A majority of the Landtag approved of Hoop's actions, but members of the [[Patriotic Union (Liechtenstein)|Patriotic Union]] called for his resignation over the issue, believing the search to be unconstitutional. It was decided that two special [[Judge|judges]] would determine the legal implications of the case.{{Sfn|Geiger|1997a|pp=468–470}} Eventually, in July 1937, it was concluded by both judges that Hoop had not acted unconstitutionally by ordering the search against Vogelsang, and Hoop was subsequently legally [[Acquittal|acquitted]] of any wrong-doing.{{Sfn|Geiger|1997a|pp=472–473}}

==== 1938–1939 crisis and failed putsch ====
{{Further information|1939 Liechtenstein general election|1939 Liechtenstein putsch}}
[[File:Hoop Vogt Schaedler Marxer 1938.jpg|thumb|Four major political figures in Liechtenstein in 1938. From left; [[Alois Vogt]], [[Otto Schaedler]], [[Josef Hoop]] and [[Ludwig Marxer]].]]
On 31 March 1938, in the wake of the [[Anschluss|Anschluss of Austria]], [[Franz I, Prince of Liechtenstein|Franz I]] made his grandnephew [[Franz Joseph II, Prince of Liechtenstein|Franz Joseph II]] regent and moved to Feldberg, [[Czechoslovakia]]. On 25 July, he died while at one of his family's castles, Castle Feldberg, and Franz Joseph formally succeeded him as prince of Liechtenstein as Franz Joseph II.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 April 1938 |title=Prince Franz to Return to Estate |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49180180/daily-news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420235228/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49180180/daily-news/ |archive-date=20 April 2020 |work=Daily News |page=216 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 July 1938 |title=Oldest Former Ruler Succumbs |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49178617/kenosha-news/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420233456/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/49178617/kenosha-news/ |archive-date=20 April 2020 |work=Kenosha News |page=1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> Around the same time, the [[German National Movement in Liechtenstein|German National Movement in Liechtenstein (VBDL)]], a local Liechtenstein [[Nazism|Nazi]] party, was formed and advocated for the annexation of Liechtenstein into Nazi Germany.<ref name=":36">{{cite web |last=Marxer |first=Wilfried |date=31 December 2011 |title=Volksdeutsche Bewegung in Liechtenstein (VDBL) |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Volksdeutsche_Bewegung_in_Liechtenstein_(VDBL) |access-date=14 November 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref> There were plans for the party, with connections to the [[Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle]], to be democratically elected into power via funding from Germany, then it would end the customs union with Switzerland and align towards Germany, leading to an eventual annexation of Liechtenstein into Germany. The plans were reportedly supported by [[Joseph Goebbels]].{{Sfn|Geiger|2007|pp=141–142}} However, it was personally blocked by [[Adolf Hitler]] himself as he did not want to complicate relations with Switzerland.{{Sfn|Geiger|2007|pp=142–143}}

Under the initiative of Franz Joseph, the Progressive Citizens' Party and Patriotic Union started negotiations for the formation of a coalition government, led by Josef Hoop and [[Otto Schaedler]] respectively.<ref name=":422">{{Cite news |date=15 November 1989 |title=Liechtenstein's Prince Franz Josef II, 83 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-11-15-mn-1750-story.html |access-date=17 May 2023 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref><ref name=":011">{{Cite web |last=Geiger |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Geiger |date=31 December 2011 |title=Hoop,_Josef_(1895–1959) |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Hoop,_Josef_(1895–1959) |access-date=26 October 2022 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Marxer |first=Wilfried |date=31 December 2011 |title=Patriotic Union (VU) |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Vaterländische_Union_%28VU%29 |access-date=14 May 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref> This coalition was designed to avoid [[political deadlock]] while there was ongoing threat from Nazi Germany, and more importantly, prevent the VBDL from gaining any seats within the Landtag.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Büchel |first=Donat |date=31 December 2011 |title=Märzkrise |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/M%C3%A4rzkrise?marker=1938 |access-date=28 August 2024 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Marxer |first=Wilfred |date=31 December 2011 |title=Koalition |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Koalition |access-date=28 August 2024 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref> A compromise for the coalition was to introduce a proportional representation to the country, despite it being [[1935 Liechtenstein electoral system referendum|rejected via referendum]] three years prior.<ref name=":09">{{Cite web |date=2007 |title=Parties in Liechtenstein 1921-1943 |url=https://www.fuerstundvolk.li/fuv/fuv.do?site=421174076f221000996d610c1957690b |access-date=15 May 2023 |website=Prince and People: Liechtenstein Civics |language=de}}</ref>{{Sfn|Nohlen|Stöver|2010|p=1172}} It was introduced unanimously on 18 January 1939.<ref name=":09" /><ref name=":24">{{Cite web |title=Gesetz vom 18. Januar 1939 - über die Einführung des Verhältniswahlrechtes |url=https://www.gesetze.li/lilexprod/lgpage2.jsp?formname=showlaw&lgblid=1939004000&version=0&search_loc=text&lgblid_von=1939004000&sel_lawtype=chrono&rechts_gebiet=0&menu=0&tablesel=0&observe_date=26.02.2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202041112/https://www.gesetze.li/lilexprod/lgpage2.jsp?formname=showlaw&lgblid=1939004000&version=0&search_loc=text&lgblid_von=1939004000&sel_lawtype=chrono&rechts_gebiet=0&menu=0&tablesel=0&observe_date=26.02.2016#federation=archive.wikiwix.com&tab=url |archive-date=2 February 2017 |access-date=28 August 2024 |website=Liechtensteinische Landesverwaltung |language=de |url-status=dead }}</ref> Shortly after, Franz Joseph, in agreement with both parties, disbanded the Landtag and called for new elections.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Büchel |first=Donat |date=31 December 2011 |title=Stille Wahl |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Stille_Wahl?marker=Wahl |access-date=15 January 2024 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref> However, the subsequent [[1939 Liechtenstein general election|1939 general election]] was only used to distribute a roughly equal number of seats in the Landtag between the two parties, as such it became known as the "silent election" as no actual voting took place.{{Sfn|Nohlen|Stöver|2010|p=1179}} This was primarily due to both parties desire to not hold an election campaign period that would jeopardize the recently-formed coalition government and allow for the VBDL to be able to gain support.<ref name=":1" />

[[File:Franz Josef II Berlin 1939.jpg|thumb|Franz Joseph II (centre) with members of the German and [[Third Hoop cabinet|Liechtenstein government]] outside the [[Reich Chancellery]] in [[Berlin]], 2 March 1939.]]

In March 1939, Franz Josef, Hoop and [[Alois Vogt]] paid an official visit to [[Berlin]] where they met [[Adolf Hitler]] and [[Joachim von Ribbentrop]] in which they discussed safeguarding Liechtenstein's independence and neutrality while maintaining good relations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 March 2019 |title=Prince Franz Josef II visits Adolf Hitler in Berlin |url=https://www.liechtenstein-institut.li/news/furst-franz-josef-ii-besucht-adolf-hitler-berlin |access-date=17 May 2023 |website=[[Liechtenstein Institute]] |language=de}}</ref> Franz Joseph later reminisced on the visit and stated that Hitler showed little interest in them and that it only took place in order to "flatter Hitler's ego".<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=15 November 1989 |title=Liechtenstein's Prince Franz Josef II, 83 |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-11-15-mn-1750-story.html |access-date=17 May 2023 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>

On 24 March 1939, the [[1939 Liechtenstein putsch|1939 putsch]] took place. The plan was for members of the VDBL to march on [[Vaduz]] and seize control of the government, which was hoped would cause clashes between them and the government. German troops from Feldkirch would then move into Liechtenstein in response to a call for help and incorporate the country into Germany. The plan failed however, as they were stopped by opponents, and most VBDL members were arrested or fled.<ref name=":43">{{Cite web |last=Büchel |first=Donat |date=31 December 2011 |title=Anschlussputsch |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Anschlussputsch |access-date=14 November 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref> No German invasion took place as it was blocked by Hitler's orders following intervention by Alois Vogt. It was is not exactly known why Hitler decided to not intervene in the coup, though it has been speculated that he had little interest in Liechtenstein, and that he did not want to provoke a war with Switzerland.{{Sfn|Geiger|2000|pp=364–408}} This led to the [[Liechtenstein Loyalty Association]], a [[Nonpartisanism|nonpartisan]] organisation designed to oppose the actions of the VBDL that was formed earlier in the year, to heighten its operations and launch a signature campaign reaffirming Liechtenstein's independence, which gained 2492 signatures.<ref>{{cite web |last=Marxer |first=Wilfried |date=31 December 2011 |title=Heimattreue Vereinigung Liechtenstein |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Heimattreue_Vereinigung_Liechtenstein |access-date=17 November 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=3 April 1939 |title=Ninety-Five Per Cent of Voters in Liechtenstein Reject Union with Nazis |url=https://www.newspaperarchive.com/us/kansas/lawrence/lawrence-daily-journal-world/1939/04-03/page-1 |access-date=29 January 2024 |work=[[Lawrence Journal-World]]}}</ref>

=== World War II ===
{{Main article|Liechtenstein in World War II}}
[[File:Staatsbesuch_FL_in_Bern.jpg|thumb|Franz Joseph II, [[Marcel Pilet-Golaz]] and [[Enrico Celio]] in [[Bern]], 1943.|left]]
During [[World War II]], Liechtenstein remained neutral, while family treasures within the war zone were brought to Liechtenstein (and [[London]]) for safekeeping. At the same time, Liechtenstein tied itself as closely as possible to [[Switzerland]] during the war in hopes of retaining the country's [[Neutral country|neutrality]].<ref name=":42">{{Cite news |date=10 April 1938 |title=GUARANTEE SOUGHT BY LIECHTENSTEIN; Principality Wants to Join Switzerland if Powers Fail to Back Independencece GERMAN INVASION FEARED |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/04/10/archives/guarantee-sought-by-liechtenstein-principality-wants-to-join.html |access-date=16 May 2023 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> It achieved the de facto inclusion of Liechtenstein in the Swiss national supply.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Geiger |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Geiger |date=31 December 2011 |title=Hoop,_Josef_(1895–1959) |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Hoop,_Josef_(1895–1959) |access-date=26 October 2022 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref> Franz Joseph himself periodically sent congratulatory letters to Hitler, such as the thwarting of the [[20 July plot]], of which he briefly replied.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |last=Geiger |first=Peter |author-link=Peter Geiger |date=31 December 2011 |title=Zweiter Weltkrieg |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Zweiter_Weltkrieg |access-date=18 November 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref> Though Nazi Germany did have plans for the annexation of Liechtenstein, primarily in [[Operation Tannenbaum]], these were never implemented and Liechtenstein's neutrality was not violated during the war.<ref>Weinberg 2005, ''A World At Arms'', p. 174</ref><ref>Angelo Codevilla, ''Between the Alps and a Hard Place: Switzerland in World War II and Moral Blackmail Today'' (Washington, D.C.: Regnery, 2000) 57–58.</ref> In 1943, at the request of both the Progressive Citizens' Party and Patriotic Union, Franz Joseph extended the government's term indefinitely while there was ongoing threat from Nazi Germany, primarily to prevent the (VDBL) from gaining seats in the [[Landtag]].<ref name=":722">{{Cite web |last=Wanger |first=Harald |date=31 December 2011 |title=Liechtenstein, Franz Josef II |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Liechtenstein,_Franz_Josef_II._von |access-date=15 June 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref> General elections were not held again until [[1945 Liechtenstein general election|April 1945]], shortly before the end of the war.{{Sfn|Nohlen|Stöver|2010|p=1164}}

Notable figures in the Liechtenstein government, such as Alois Vogt, retained contacts with Nazi Germany during the war, such as [[Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle]], who regarded him as a trusted contact.<ref name=":06">{{Cite web |last=Schremser |first=Jürgen |date=31 December 2011 |title=Vogt, Alois |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Vogt,_Alois |access-date=26 May 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref> Three Liechtensteiners were sentenced to death by Switzerland for spying for Nazi Germany during the war.<ref name=":2" /> Most notably, [[Alfred Quaderer]], a Liechtenstein citizen who became an agent for the Volksdeutsche Mittelstelle was sentenced to death for treason against Switzerland in March 1944.{{Sfn|Geiger|1999|p=|pp=116–122}} Despite efforts by Quaderer's sister and mother to have him pardoned, such as pleading to Franz Joseph for a private audience, they were denied, and he was [[Execution by firing squad|executed by firing squad]] on 7 June 1944, aged 24 years old.{{Sfn|Geiger|1999|pp=123–129}}

Just before the end of the war, Franz Joseph granted political asylum to [[First Russian National Army]] pro-Axis pro-emperor [[Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich of Russia]] White emigres led by General [[Boris Smyslovsky]], who were being cared for by the [[Liechtenstein Red Cross]]. On 16 August 1945, the [[Soviet Union]] sent a delegation to Liechtenstein in an attempt to repatriate the Russians, which was refused despite increasing Soviet pressure to participate in the repatriation program.{{Sfn|Tolstoy|1977|p=}} Eventually the government of [[Argentina]] offered the Russians asylum, and about a hundred people left.<ref name=":72">{{Cite web |last=Wanger |first=Harald |date=31 December 2011 |title=Liechtenstein, Franz Josef II |url=https://historisches-lexikon.li/Liechtenstein,_Franz_Josef_II._von |access-date=15 June 2023 |website=[[Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein]] |language=de}}</ref> This is commemorated by a [[Russian Monument Liechtenstein|monument]] at the border town of [[Hinterschellenberg]] which is marked on the country's [[tourist]] map. According to prime minister [[Alexander Frick]], with the support of Franz Joseph, the Russians were at no point in danger of being [[Extradition|extradited]] and the general population of Liechtenstein supported the government in providing asylum to them.{{Sfn|Tolstoy|1977|p=}}

At the close of the conflict, [[Czechoslovakia]] and [[Poland]], acting to seize what they considered to be German possessions, expropriated the entirety of the Liechtenstein dynasty's hereditary lands and possessions in [[Bohemia]], [[Moravia]], and [[Silesia]]<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |date=21 April 2023 |title=Prince Franz Josef II Von Und Zu Liechtenstein |url=https://www.liechtensteincollections.at/en/princes/prince-franz-josef-ii-von-und-zu-liechtenstein |access-date=21 April 2023 |website=Liechtenstein The Princely Collections |language=de}}</ref> — the princes of Liechtenstein lived in [[Vienna]] until the [[Anschluss]] of 1938. During the war, Liechtenstein's princely family owned land in Austria whose managers hired Nazi forced labor, but a much later inquiry found the family not to have known about this.<ref>{{cite web |title=Nazi Camp Labor Used in Liechtenstein – DW – 04/14/2005 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/nazi-camp-labor-used-in-liechtenstein/a-1552304 |website=[[Deutsche Welle]]}}</ref> The expropriations (subject to modern legal dispute at the [[International Court of Justice]]) included over {{convert|1600|sqkm|sqmi|-2}} of agricultural and forest land (most notably the UNESCO listed [[Lednice–Valtice Cultural Landscape]]), and several family castles and palaces.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} Citizens of Liechtenstein were also forbidden from entering Czechoslovakia during the [[Cold War]]. In August 1945, [[Pierre Laval]], the Prime Minister of [[Vichy France]], had attempted to seek refuge in Liechtenstein after being flown to the [[Allied-occupied Austria|American-occupied zone of Austria]], but was turned away.<ref name=":8" /><ref>Warner, pp. 404–407.</ref>