Josef Hoop

Prime Minister of Liechtenstein from 1928 to 1945
Josef Hoop
Hoop in 1945
Prime Minister of Liechtenstein
In office
4 August 1928 – 3 September 1945
MonarchsJohann II
Franz I
Franz Joseph II
DeputyLudwig Marxer
Anton Frommelt
Alois Vogt
Preceded byGustav Schädler[a]
Succeeded byAlexander Frick
President of the Landtag of Liechtenstein
In office
January 1958 – 19 October 1959
MonarchFranz Joseph II
Prime MinisterAlexander Frick
Preceded byDavid Strub
Succeeded byMartin Risch
Personal details
Born14 December 1895
Eschen, Liechtenstein
Died19 October 1959 (aged 63)
Chur, Switzerland
Political partyProgressive Citizens' Party
Spouse
Emilie Gstöhl
​
(m. 1920)​
Parent(s)Franz Josef Hoop
Berta Batliner
CabinetFirst Hoop cabinet

Second Hoop cabinet
Third Hoop cabinet

Fourth Hoop cabinet
Signature
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Franz Josef Hoop (/hˈup/, German: [ˈjoːzɛf hˈoːp] ⓘ; 14 December 1895 – 19 October 1959) was a diplomat and political figure from Liechtenstein who served as Prime Minister of Liechtenstein from 1928 to 1945.

Hoop is best known for his efforts to retain Liechtenstein's neutrality and independence during World War II. Serving for seventeen years, he is the longest-serving prime minister in the country's history, ahead of his successor Alexander Frick by 79 days. He served under the reign of Prince of Liechtenstein Johann II, Franz I and Franz Joseph II, making him the only prime minister to serve under three Princes consecutively.

Early life and diplomatic career

Hoop was born in Eschen on 14 December 1895 to his father Franz Josef Hoop who was a farmer and a deputy Member of Parliament and his mother Berta Batliner as one of nine children.[2][3]

Hoop attended high school in Feldkirch, Austria, and for a short time afterwards attended school in Zürich, Switzerland. After finishing his school, Hoop took up post-secondary education at the University of Innsbruck, where he devoted himself to the study of Oriental languages. Hoop graduated in 1920, with a doctorate in philosophy. He was fluent in Arabic.[2]

Hoop served as the attaché and chargé d'affaires at the Liechtenstein legation in Vienna from 1920 until 1923, headed by Prince Eduard of Liechtenstein.[2][4] He worked in removing visa requirements for Austrian citizens in Liechtenstein in 1922.[5] He had also complained about the low wages of the staff at the legation as it was not often satisfactory and catered for the operation of the legation.[6]

The Liechtenstein legation in Vienna was closed in 1923.[2] Hoop had resisted the closure of the legation, as he believed it would negatively effect relations with Austria.[7] He visited the Minister of Foreign Affairs Alfred Grünberger regarding the closure who had also privately opposed it, which faced backlash from the Liechtenstein government as they had previously agreed to be represented by Switzerland instead.[8] He was a member of the Historical Association for the Principality of Liechtenstein from 1921.[9]

From 1924 to 1928 he worked for the Swiss customs administration in Geneva and St. Gallen.[2]

Prime Minister of Liechtenstein

Hoop was the third Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, from 4 August 1928 to 3 September 1945.[1] Early elections were called after Johann II forced the government of Gustav Schädler to resign in June 1928 as the result of an embezzlement scandal at the National Bank of Liechtenstein.[10] The 1928 Liechtenstein parliamentary election resulted with a win for the Progressive Citizens' Party and Hoop was appointed to serve as prime minister.[11] Due to the 1930 Liechtenstein by-election the Progressive Citizens' Party became the first and only party to hold an absolute majority in the Landtag Liechtenstein's history until 1932.[12]

Economic policy

During his time as Prime Minister, it oversaw the building of a 23 km long inland canal in order to increase the percentage of arable land within the country and to create job opportunities within the country, which was approved in 1930, started construction in 1931 and then completed in 1943.[13] He had also given advice for businesses and industrial start-ups in Liechtenstein in order to bring employment and capital to the country.[14]

Spy affair

In January 1937 Liechtensteiner Vaterland editor and founding member of the Liechtenstein Homeland Service Carl Freiherr von Vogelsang publicly denounced Jews living in Liechtenstein and sent numerous letters detailing them to officials in Nazi Germany. As a result, Hoop ordered the offices of the Vaterland to be searched for any letters to be confiscated and Vogelsang promptly left the country.[15][16] The majority of the Landtag approved of Hoop's actions, but members of the Patriotic Union called for his resignation over the issue, believing the search to be unconstitutional.[17] It was decided that two special judges would determine the legal implications of the case. Eventually, in July 1937 it was concluded by both judges that Hoop had not acted unconstitutionally by ordering the search against Vogelsang and was subsequently legally acquitted of any wrong-doing.[18]

Foreign policy and World War II

In 1936, Hoop pioneered an extradition treaty being signed between Liechtenstein and the United States.[19] Since the rise of Nazi Germany in 1933 and the introduction of anti-Jewish laws in the country Liechtenstein experienced a large rise Jewish emigrants to the country in which Hoop's government had supported the naturalization of the refugees under a new citizenship law.[20] In doing this, Liechtenstein faced attacks from German press and internal sources such as the Liechtenstein Homeland Service bolstered by Franz I's wife, Princess Elsa of Liechtenstein being of Jewish relation.[21][22][23] Most notably, the Rotter kidnapping was designed to be an impetus for the formation of an organized Liechtenstein Nazi group, but it instead held back efforts for a time.[24] Hoop personally attempted to temper relations with Germany through the use of private contacts and actively downplayed the threat of National-socialism within Liechtenstein.[25][26]

Hoop (centre-right) with Alois Vogt, Otto Schaedler, and Ludwig Marxer, around 1938.

In the wake of World War II following the Anschluss of Austria, Hoop and the Progressive Citizens' Party participated in the coalition government formed to prevent government deadlock and help retain Liechtenstein's neutrality overseen by Franz Joseph II[b] along with Patriotic Union led by Otto Schaedler.[29][30][31] Alois Vogt, the party secretary was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister of Liechtenstein and replaced Anton Frommelt.[32][33] Hoop rejected the fascist tendencies of the Liechtenstein Homeland Service of which was one the merger parties of the Patriotic Union.[2][34] However, the party faced suspicion after the German National Movement in Liechtenstein (VDBL) attempted a coup in 1939.[31][35]

Starting from 1938, the Hoop was faced with the challenge of Swiss pressure to transfer the Ellhorn mountain to Switzerland. Though Hoop was supportive of the transfer he argued that the country should be fairly compensated for the loss of territory, such as the transfer of Swiss land elsewhere or greater banking cooperation between the two countries. The proposition faced resistance from the residents in Balzers, and was not approved by Franz Joseph II.[36][37] Also facing unofficial objections from Nazi Germany, Hoop was forced to end the negotiations with Switzerland.[38]

Hoop (behind Franz Joseph II) outside the Reich Chancellery in Berlin on 2 March 1939.

Throughout World War II, Hoop considered friendly, non-binding, non-provocative diplomacy to be appropriate towards Nazi Germany, supplemented by courtesy gestures. In March 1939 he along with Franz Joseph II and paid an official visit to Berlin where they met Adolf Hitler and Joachim von Ribbentrop where they discussed safeguarding Liechtenstein's independence and neutrality while maintaining good relations.[39] 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".[40]

In 1940, during a lecture in Stuttgart, Hoop showed respect for the German armies.[2] At the same time, he tied the country as closely as possible to Switzerland during the war in hopes of retaining Liechtenstein's neutrality.[30] He achieved the de-facto inclusion of Liechtenstein in the Swiss national supply.[2] Hoop did not consider re-forming the Liechtenstein Army to avoid provocation. During the war, he worked closely with Franz Joseph II.[2]

Resignation

Hoop resigned in September 1945, after serving in the premiership for seventeen years.[41][42] He formally did this due to his worsening heart condition and his desire to move on from the role, but also remarked that Franz Joseph II had pressured him to do so as he believed that the vision of a post-war Liechtenstein required a change in leadership due to the ongoing diplomatic crisis with the pro-axis First Russian National Army and pro-emperor Vladimir White emigres led by General Boris Smyslovsky that had taken refuge in the country a few months prior.[43][44] This de-facto dismissal of Hoop angered many within the Progressive Citizens' Party.[2] He was succeeded by Alexander Frick.[1][41][42]

Later life

In 1946 leaders of the German National Movement in Liechtenstein were prosecuted for the coup in 1939 and Hoop testified as a witness against them.[45] Former members of Hoop's government were also indicted over their actions during the Second World War, notably his former Deputy Alois Vogt, but he was never charged.[33]

After resigning as prime minister, Hoop soon went on to study law at the University of Zurich and then at the University of Innsbruck in 1946, where he graduated and received a doctorate in 1948. From 1948 he worked as a lawyer in Vaduz.[2]

Hoop later went on to serve as a board member for the National Bank of Liechtenstein, and president of the Liechtenstein Constitutional Court.[2] He went on to be elected to the Landtag in 1957, where he served until his death in 1959.[46] He was President of the Landtag of Liechtenstein from 1958 to 1959.[47]

Personal life

Hoop married Emilie Gstöhl (27 February 1898 - 11 February 1997) in 1920 and they had no children.[2] His niece, Emma Eigenmann was the first female to serve in the Landtag of Liechtenstein from 1986 to 1993.[46][48]

Death and legacy

Hoop, a frequent smoker throughout his adult life, died on 19 October 1959 due to heart failure following a surgery, at the age of 63 years old.[49][50] He was buried in his home-town of Eschen and his funeral was attended by both Franz Joseph II and Princess Gina of Liechtenstein.[51] A street in Eschen was named after him.[52]

Hoop was regarded highly by Franz Joseph II due to his efforts to protect Liechtenstein's independence during World War II. He once said in retrospect that "Hoop saved the country".[2][53] Fellow member of the Liechtenstein Historical Association and his successor as President of the Landtag of Liechtenstein Martin Risch described him as "one of the finest men to serve within Liechtenstein, for his long-term service in the country".[9]

Honours

In popular culture

Josef Hoop was portrayed by French actor Pierre Vaneck in the film Vent d'est, released in 1993.[54]

Notes

  1. ^ Prince Alfred Roman of Liechtenstein as acting prime minister.[1]
  2. ^ Franz I was still officially Prince of Liechtenstein at this time, he had made Franz Joseph his regent following the Anschluss of Austria and moved to a family estate in Czechoslovakia, where he died on 25 July 1938 and Franz Joseph II formally succeeded him.[27][28]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Mitglieder der Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 1862-2021" (PDF). www.regierung.li. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Peter Geiger (31 December 2011). "Hoop,_Josef_(1895–1959)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Hoop Franz Josef, stv. Landtagsabgeordneter". Staatsarchiv des Fürstentum Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  4. ^ Evelin, Oberhammer (31 December 2011). "Liechtenstein, Eduard von". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  5. ^ "Das österreichische Aussenministerium begrüsst die von der liechtensteinischen Regierung vorgeschlagene Aufhebung des Sichtvermerkzwanges". Staatsarchiv des Fürstentum Liechtenstein (in German). 12 August 1922. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  6. ^ "Josef Hoop, Geschäftsträger in Wien, beschwert sich über die geringe Entlöhnung des Botschaftspersonals". Staatsarchiv des Fürstentum Liechtenstein (in German). 8 June 1922. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Josef Hoop, Geschäftsträger in Wien, teilt mit, dass die Auflösung der Wiener Gesandtschaft sich ungünstig auf die Beziehungen zu Österreich auswirken werde". Staatsarchiv des Fürstentum Liechtenstein (in German). 2 July 1923. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Die Regierung protestiert gegen die Vorsprache von Josef Hoop, Geschäftsträger in Wien, beim österreichischen Aussenminister wegen der Aufhebung der Wiener Gesandtschaft". Staatsarchiv des Fürstentum Liechtenstein (in German). 2 September 1923. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  9. ^ a b Martin Risch (1959). Nachruf auf Dr. Josef Hoop (in German). Vaduz: Historischen Vereins für das Fürstentum Liechtenstein. p. 238.
  10. ^ Büchel, Donat (31 December 2011). "Sparkassaskandal". Historisches Lexikon (in German). Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  11. ^ Dieter Nohlen; Philip Stöver (2010). Elections in Europe: A data handbook (in German). Nomos. p. 1164. ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7.
  12. ^ Dieter Nohlen; Philip Stöver (2010). Elections in Europe: A data handbook (in German). Nomos. p. 1182. ISBN 978-3-8329-5609-7.
  13. ^ Haidvogl, Gertrud (31 December 2011). "Binnenkanal". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 30 July 2023.
  14. ^ Frey, Stefan (31 December 2011). "Arbeitsbeschaffung". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  15. ^ Peter Geiger (1997). Liechtenstein in den Dreissigerjahren 1928–1939 (in German) (1st ed.). Zürich: Liechtenstein Institut. p. 371. ISBN 3-906393-28-3.
  16. ^ Schremser, Jürgen (31 December 2011). "Vogelsang, Carl Freiherr von". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 20 July 2023.
  17. ^ Peter Geiger (1997). Liechtenstein in den Dreissigerjahren 1928–1939 (in German) (1st ed.). Zürich: Liechtenstein Institut. p. 372. ISBN 3-906393-28-3.
  18. ^ Peter Geiger (1997). Liechtenstein in den Dreissigerjahren 1928–1939 (in German) (1st ed.). Zürich: Liechtenstein Institut. p. 373. ISBN 3-906393-28-3.
  19. ^ "U.S. and Liechtenstein sign extradition pact". The Morning Post. 21 May 1936. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
  20. ^ "Regierungschef Josef Hoop orientiert den Landtag über einen Entwurf für ein Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz". Staatsarchiv des Fürstentum Liechtenstein (in German). 29 May 1933. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  21. ^ TIMES, Wireless to THE NEW YORK (3 July 1933). "Nazi Group Formed in Lichtenstein". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  22. ^ "Die liechtensteinische Regierung protestiert gegen die deutsche Pressekampagne gegen Liechtenstein". Staatsarchiv des Fürstentum Liechtenstein (in German). 9 April 1933. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  23. ^ "NAZIS IN CABINET IN LIECHTENSTEIN; Prince Franz Joseph, the New Ruler, Names Them Though Pledging Independence HITLER MOVEMENT GAINS Its Growing Strength Was One Reason for Abdication of Franz 1, Old Sovereign". The New York Times. 1 April 1938. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  24. ^ Editorial (16 August 2021). "Rotter-Entführung". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  25. ^ "Regierungschef Josef Hoop bemüht sich über private Kontakte, der deutschen Pressekampagne gegen Liechtenstein entgegenzutreten". Staatsarchiv des Fürstentum Liechtenstein (in German). 7 March 1933. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  26. ^ "Regierungschef Josef Hoop versichert Prinz Alois von Liechtenstein, dass von der Gründung der Ortsgruppe Liechtenstein der NSDAP keine Gefahr ausgehe". Staatsarchiv des Fürstentum Liechtenstein (in German). 21 July 1933. Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  27. ^ "Prince Franz to Return to Estate". Daily News. 1 April 1938. p. 216. Archived from the original on 20 April 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "Oldest Former Ruler Succumbs". Kenosha News. 26 July 1938. p. 1. Archived from the original on 20 April 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ Tikkanen, Amy (21 April 2023). "Francis Joseph II, prince of Liechtenstein". Britannica. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  30. ^ a b Streitwireless, Clarence (10 April 1938). "GUARANTEE SOUGHT BY LIECHTENSTEIN; Principality Wants to Join Switzerland if Powers Fail to Back Independencece GERMAN INVASION FEARED". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  31. ^ a b Marxer, Wilfried (31 December 2011). "Patriotic Union (VU)". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  32. ^ "Mitglieder der Regierung des Fürstentums Liechtenstein 1862-2021". www.regierung.li.
  33. ^ a b Schremser, Jürgen (31 December 2011). "Vogt, Alois". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 27 May 2023.
  34. ^ "Parties in Liechtenstein 1921-1943". Prince and People: Liechtenstein Civics (in German). 2007. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  35. ^ Büchel, Donat (31 December 2011). "Anschlussputsch". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  36. ^ Meier, Günther (11 December 2023). "Die Angst vor feindlichen Truppen: Wie die «Loreley des Alpenrheins» den Besitzer wechselte". Neue Zürcher Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  37. ^ Peter Geiger (2000). Krisenzeit. Liechtenstein in den Dreissigerjahren 1928–1939 (in German). Vol. 2. Vaduz: Liechtenstein Institute.
  38. ^ Büchel, Donat (31 December 2011). "Ellhorn". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 19 March 2024.
  39. ^ "Prince Franz Josef II visits Adolf Hitler in Berlin". Liechtenstein Institute (in German). 27 March 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  40. ^ "Liechtenstein's Prince Franz Josef II, 83". Los Angeles Times. 15 November 1989. Retrieved 17 May 2023.
  41. ^ a b "Liechtenstein gets a new boss". Stars and Stripes Newspaper Southern France. Nice. 6 September 1945. p. 4. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  42. ^ a b "Liechtenstein Gets New Chief". The New York Times. 4 September 1945. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  43. ^ "LIECHTENSTEIN IN CRISIS; Principality's Cabinet Cites Lack of 'Freedom of Action'". The New York Times. 21 July 1945. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  44. ^ ARGENTINA: Last of the Wehrmacht – Monday, Apr. 13, 1953 Archived 23 August 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  45. ^ "Josef Hoop sagt als Zeuge über die Tätigkeit von Friedrich Bock als Leiter der NSDAP-Ortsgruppe Liechtenstein aus". Staatsarchiv des Fürstentum Liechtenstein (in German). 24 November 1945. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
  46. ^ a b Paul Vogt (1987). 125 Jahre Landtag. Vaduz: Landtag of the Principality of Liechtenstein.
  47. ^ "Mitglieder - Präsidenten" (in German). 27 March 2019. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019.
  48. ^ Redaktion (31 December 2011). "Eigenmann-Schädler, Emma". Historisches Lexikon des Fürstentums Liechtenstein (in German). Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  49. ^ "DR. JOSEF HOOP, 64, DEAD;". The New York Times. 20 October 1959. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  50. ^ "Parliament Chief Dies". Long Beach Independent. Long Beach, California. 20 October 1959. p. 15. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  51. ^ Hartmann, Gerhard (5 October 2012). "Franz Josef Hoop". Österreichische Cartellverband (in German). Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  52. ^ "Dr. Josef Hoop Straße, 9492 Eschen". map.search.ch. Retrieved 14 September 2013.
  53. ^ Peter Geiger (1995). Prime Minister Dr. Josef Hoop (in German) (10th ed.). p. 10.
  54. ^ "VENT D'EST (1993)". BFI. Archived from the original on 20 September 2021.

Further reading

See also

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