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Peter Kaiser - Liechtenstein’s Famous Historian and Statesman

© James Foster Robinson

Liechtenstein is a tiny country with a small population. Nevertheless, the principality has produced citizens of international fame. One such person was Peter Kaiser, Liechtenstein's most historian and statesman.

Peter was born in Mauren on October 1, 1793, one of eleven children. He went on to study languages and history in Feldkirch, Vienna and Freiburg/Breisgau. Peter championed the ancient rights of the common people or serfs in his little country and the surrounding areas, In 1820, having earned the displeasures of the diplomats at the Congress of Vienna by promoting liberty of the people and the unity of Germany, Peter was forced to leave Germany. He traveled to Switzerland where he became a professor in Hofwil (Berne) and met the great Pestalozzi. During 1836 Peter Kaiser was a teacher in Aarau then in Disentis in the Grisons.

Thanks to his intellect, education and devotion to his native country, the citizens of Liechtenstein appointed Peter Kaiser as their representative to Prince Alois in Vienna in 1843 when they appealed to the Prince for help with their many problems.

Around1846 Peter Kaiser published in Chur his "History of The Principality of Liechtenstein" which is still considered the best work on the early history of the country. The book was at first banned in Liechtenstein but this was later rescinded by the Prince.

In 1848 Peter Kaiser, Peter was selected to represent the principality's Diet at the Parliament of Frankfort. Many liberal-minded Germans, including Peter Kaiser, had great hope for this Parliament.

The winds of change that swept Europe in 1848 changed the political scene and brought changes to the constitution. The people of Liechtenstein demanded more rights such as the free election of deputies instead of a selection based on property, the right to initiate administrative and legislative matters including the deciding of a budget. They also sought to retain their feudal privileges and duties, the commissioner position and their free hunting and fishing rights.

At first Prince Alois promised to reform the old constitution of 1818 and set up a Constitutional Committee. But as the political situation changed with the defeat elsewhere of the liberals and socialists, he sought to distract his citizens' attention from what he considered subversive idea. Alois started a vast program of public works and sought to improve the principality's economy. He signed a customs treaty with Austria, and had the riverbanks fortified, dams built, swamps drained, existing roads improved and a new road built from Schaan to Ruggell. Prince Franziska planned an orphanage and started a fund to help the poor.