Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein
Johann II | |
---|---|
Aloys II | |
Successor | Franz I |
Prime Ministers | |
Born | Roman Catholic | 5 October 1840
Johann II (Johann Maria Franz Placidus; 5 October 1840 – 11 February 1929), nicknamed the Good (
His reign of 70 years and 91 days is the third-longest of any sovereign monarch in European history, after those of
Early life
Johann II was the elder son of Aloys II, Prince of Liechtenstein and Countess Franziska Kinsky of Wchinitz and Tettau. He ascended to the throne shortly after his 18th birthday. Until he was surpassed by Elizabeth II on 9 May 2022, his reign had been the longest precisely documented tenure of any European monarch since antiquity in which a regent (that is, a regent serving in place of an underage sovereign) was never employed.[1] Although his mother acted as his regent from 10 February 1859 to November 1860,[2][3] she was not the regent for a minor, but was appointed by her son to fulfil his duties because he wished to finish his education before he began his rule.
Law and reform
In 1862, Johann II issued Liechtenstein's first constitution, which was heavily influenced by the likes of Vorarlberg.[4] After World War I and due to significant popular demand, Johann II granted a new constitution, which was ratified on 5 October 1921. It granted considerable political rights to common Liechtensteiners and made the principality a constitutional monarchy.[5] The constitution has survived but with revisions, most notably in 2003.[6]
Foreign affairs
Liechtenstein left the German Confederation in 1866. Not long afterward, the Liechtenstein Army was abolished as it was regarded as an unnecessary expense.
In 1867,
Johann II somewhat cooled relations with Liechtenstein's traditional ally, Austria-Hungary and its successor states, to forge closer relations with Switzerland, particularly after World War I. Liechtenstein was neutral during the war, which broke Liechtenstein's alliance with Austria-Hungary and led it to go into a customs union with Switzerland. In 1924, late in Johann's reign, the Swiss franc became Liechtenstein's official currency.[9]
Patron of arts
Johann II, an outstanding art connoisseur and a generous patron, added much to the Liechtenstein Princely Collections. Although considered a prominent patron of the arts and sciences during his long reign,[10] Johann II was also considered to be rather unsociable and did not participate in social events. Rarely did he show up in his magnificent Vienna residences, Liechtenstein City Palace and Liechtenstein Garden Palace. He also never assumed any tasks in Austrian politics or the Austrian military, and he never married or had any children like several other members of his family.[11]
From 1884, he rebuilt
Declining health and death
As Johann entered his later years, his eyesight began to decline rapidly and on 12 November 1928, he underwent surgery to remove cataracts.[12] He died on 11 February 1929 and was succeeded by his younger brother Franz I.[13][14]
Honours
- Grand Cross of the Royal Guelphic Order, 1860 (Kingdom of Hanover)[15]
- Knight of the Golden Fleece, 1862 (Austrian Empire)[16]
- Grand Cross of St. Stephen, 1896 (Austria-Hungary)[17]
- Knight of St. Hubert, 1882 (Kingdom of Bavaria)[18]
- Bailiff Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion (Sovereign Military Order of Malta)[19]
References
- ^ "Liechtenstein". www.worldstatesmen.org. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ Peter Geiger: Geschichte des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 1848 bis 1866. In: Jahrbuch des Historischen Vereins für das Fürstentum Liechtenstein. Band 70. Vaduz 1970, S. 242 ff.
- ^ "Fürst und Volk - eine liechtensteinische Staatskunde". Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
- ISBN 978-1-85043-459-7.
- ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7
- ^ Liechtenstein prince wins powers BBC News Online, 16 March 2003. Retrieved 29 December 2006.
- ISBN 978-3-658-27091-9.
- ^ ИноСМИ (21 December 2019). "Русская Америка на продажу: как и почему Россия продала Аляску США за бесценок?". ИноСМИ.Ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ "Welcome.li Yellow Pages of Liechtenstein". Archived from the original on 6 October 2007.
- ^ Portal of the Principality of Liechtenstein – Princely House – Prince Johann II Archived 21 February 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 December 2007
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
- ^ Staat Hannover (1865). Hof- und Staatshandbuch für das Königreich Hannover: 1865. Berenberg. p. 79.
- ^ Boettger, T. F. "Chevaliers de la Toisón d'Or – Knights of the Golden Fleece". La Confrérie Amicale. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
- ^ "A Szent István Rend tagjai" Archived 22 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Hof- und Staats-Handbuch des Königreichs Bayern (1908), "Königliche Orden" p. 7
- ^ Justus Perthes, Almanach de Gotha (1922) p. 55