- Peter Kaiser
Peter Kaiser (
October 1 , 1793 -February 23 , 1864) was a historian and statesman fromLiechtenstein .Kaiser was born in
Mauren , in the Principality of Liechtenstein as one of eleven children. He studied languages and history inFeldkirch ,Vienna andFreiburg /Breisgau .Kaiser became known as a proponent of the rights of the common people or
serfs in his home country. In 1820 during theCongress of Vienna , he promoted German unification and rights issues. Due to the unpopularity of this stand in an age of imperialism, he was subsequently forced out of Germany. Kaiser moved toSwitzerland and became a professor inHofwil (Berne ). In 1836, he taught inAarau and then inDisentis , in theGrisons .In 1843, Kaiser was appointed as a representative to
Prince Alois in Vienna. Kaiser published "History of The Principality of Liechtenstein" in 1846, which was initially banned in Liechtenstein, but the ban was later lifted by Prince Alois.In 1848 Kaiser was named as the representative of the Principality’s Diet to the Parliament of
Frankfurt . During this year, the political climate changed dramatically in Europe, and the citizens of Liechtenstein began demanding a liberalization of their rights under the constitution, including free elections. Initially, Prince Alois promised constitutional reform and a public works program, but this did not abate the revolutionary ferver. Kaiser, who was a member of the local revolutionary committee, sought to avoid violence by appealing directly to the Prince, and due to his standing, was heard. Open violent revolution was thus avoided and genuine changes were enacted.After this success, Kaiser turned from politics back to teaching. ons. On February 23, 1864 Kaiser died in
Chur , Switzerland. Kaiser is credited with helping to define the "Liechtenstein identity", and memorial to him still stands in Mauren.Bibliography
*"History of The Principality of Liechtenstein" (1846)
References
* [http://www.liechtenstein.li/en/eliechtenstein_main_sites/portal_fuerstentum_liechtenstein/fl-staat-staat/fl-staat-gemeinden/fl-staat-gemeinden-mauren.htm Memorial information]
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