Josef Hoop (cropped)

Franz Josef Hoop (; 14 December 1895 – 19 October 1959) was a diplomat and politician from Liechtenstein who served as Prime Minister of Liechtenstein from 1928 to 1945. He later served as the President of the Landtag of Liechtenstein from 1958 until his death in 1959.

Hoop initially worked as the attaché and chargé d'affaires at the Liechtenstein legation in Vienna and then in the Swiss customs administration before being elected as prime minister following the 1928 general election. In his first years in office he oversaw Liechtenstein's response to the Great Depression through economic programs. Starting from 1933, his government faced numerous domestic and foreign challenges to the country, notable events such as the Rotter kidnapping, 1937 spy affair and 1939 putsch. In 1938, his government entered into a coalition government with the opposition Patriotic Union. During World War II, Hoop considered friendly, non-binding, non-provocative diplomacy to be appropriate towards Nazi Germany, supplemented by courtesy gestures. At the same time, he tied the country as closely as possible to Switzerland and successfully maintained the country's neutrality throughout the war. He was pressured to resign by Franz Joseph II in 1945.

Following his resignation as prime minister, Hoop studied law and then worked as a lawyer in Vaduz from 1948. He returned to politics when he was elected to the Landtag of Liechtenstein in 1957, and he was the president of the Landtag from 1958 to 1959. A habitual smoker throughout his adult life, Hoop died due to heart failure in 1959. His services to Liechtenstein, particularly during World War II, were widely recognized, with Franz Joseph II saying in retrospect that "Hoop saved the country".

Early life and diplomatic career

Hoop was born in Eschen on 14 December 1895 to Franz Josef Hoop, a farmer and deputy member of the Landtag of Liechtenstein, and Berta Batliner; he was one of nine children. He attended high school in Feldkirch, Austria, and for a short time afterwards attended school in Zürich, Switzerland. After finishing his schooling there, Hoop took up post-secondary education at the University of Innsbruck, where he devoted himself to the study of Oriental languages. He graduated in 1920 with a doctorate in philosophy.

Hoop served as the attaché and chargé d'affaires at the Liechtenstein legation in Vienna, headed by Prince Eduard of Liechtenstein, from 1920 to 1923. He worked towards the removal of visa requirements for Austrian citizens in Liechtenstein in 1922. He also raised concerns over the low wages of the legation's staff, stating that it was not sufficient for them to properly feed and clothe themselves.

The Liechtenstein legation in Vienna was closed in 1923. Hoop had resisted the closure of the legation, as he believed it would negatively affect relations with Austria. He visited Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs Alfred Grünberger regarding the closure, who had also privately opposed it. This led to Hoop being criticized in a letter by prime minister Gustav Schädler, as his government had already agreed to be represented diplomatically by Switzerland. He became a member of the in 1921. From 1924 to 1928, he worked for the Swiss customs administration in Geneva and St. Gallen.

Prime Minister of Liechtenstein

Hoop was the third Prime Minister of Liechtenstein, serving from 4 August 1928 to 3 September 1945. 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. The 1928 Liechtenstein general election resulted with a win for the Progressive Citizens' Party and Hoop was appointed to serve as prime minister. As a result of the 1930 Liechtenstein by-election, the Progressive Citizens' Party became the first and only party to hold an absolute majority in the Landtag in its history, which it held until 1932.

Early tenure

In 1929, Hoop was faced with the challenge of the effects of the Great Depression in Liechtenstein. During this time unemployment rose, and there was a decline in agriculture and a collapse in industry. To combat this, Hoop encouraged the opening of new businesses, public works and social protection policies. Notably, he campaigned for the construction of the Liechtenstein inland canal, which was intended to bring employment and an increased amount of arable land to the country. It was approved in 1930, started construction in 1931, and finished in 1943.

Johann II died in 1929 and was succeeded by his brother as Franz I. Throughout his reign, Franz got along well with Hoop and consulted with him frequently. He approved of Hoop's efforts to bring employment to the country and gave the Landtag of Liechtenstein relative freedom to pass laws.

Rotter kidnapping

Upon the rise of Nazi Germany in 1933, Liechtenstein received a large amount of Jewish refugees. Hoop's government pioneered a financial naturalization scheme for Jews to obtain citizenship in Liechtenstein. However, an area of contention between Liechtenstein and Nazi Germany arose with Alfred and Fritz Rotter of Jewish background, who had previously succeeded in being naturalized in 1931. As a result of this, Liechtenstein became the target of attacks by German press outlets. In particular, the Rotters became the target of attacks from the press, who falsely accused them of faking their bankruptcy and transferring their money abroad. As a result, it was publicly demanded that the two men be extradited back to Nazi Germany to face trial. Hoop attempted to use private contacts and offered informal support to the German government, where he considered appealing to Otto Meissner in order for the press attacks to end.

However, four local Liechtensteiners sympathetic to Nazi Germany used the German press demands as an impetus to kidnap Fritz and Alfred Rotter and forcefully extradite them to Nazi Germany, which was intended to coincide with the formation of an organized Nazi Party in Liechtenstein. They were assisted by five Germans whom who were hired by the Liechtensteiners. On 5 April 1933, they attempted to kidnap Alfred, Fritz, Alfred's wife Gertrud and her cousin Julie. This plan, failed however, as they managed to escape on foot. However, Alfred and Getrud later died by falling from a steep slope, whereas Fritz and Julie escaped and Fritz subsequently contacted the police and then Hoop's government. All nine kidnappers were arrested shortly afterwards.

In response to the kidnapping, naturalizations into Liechtenstein were discontinued until further notice, which the Liechtensteiner Nachrichten criticized. Hoop's government sent a diplomatic protest on 9 April 1933 to Nazi Germany and urged for both government's to work towards a solution for the press attacks to end. However, Liechtenstein's desire to work with Germany independently contradicted the agreement with Switzerland to represent Liechtenstein where it did not hold representation in its own right, as such it expressed it's desire for no independent meeting between Liechtenstein and Germany to solve the issue. As such on, 6 October 1933 a conference was held in Berlin with representatives from Germany and Switzerland, with Hoop representing Liechtenstein. At the conference, he defended the country against the allegations made by the German press. The Reich ministry demanded that Liechtenstein revise its naturalization policy, which Hoop obliged. In addition, it demanded that two of the men, who were still in prison for the kidnapping, were to be released early. As such both men were pardoned by Franz I and released the following month.

Spy affair

In January 1937 it was revealed that Carl Freiherr von Vogelsang, the editor of ''Liechtensteiner Vaterland'' and a founding member of the Liechtenstein Homeland Service, had sent a letter three years prior in 1934, asking the police in 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. As a result, Hoop ordered a search of the offices of the ''Vaterland'' for any incriminating letters and Vogelsang promptly left the country. A 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. 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 Hoop was subsequently legally acquitted of any wrong-doing.

1938–1939 crisis

Hoop was in Vienna upon the Anschluss of Austria on 12 March 1938 and then returned to Liechtenstein on the 14th. His immediate concern was the potential annexation of Liechtenstein into Nazi Germany, as such he sought reassurances from Nazi officials for Liechtenstein's continued independence. On 18 March Adolf Hitler blocked any interference in Liechtenstein as he did not want to complicate relations with Switzerland.

Shortly afterwards, under the initiative of Franz Joseph, the Progressive Citizens' Party and Patriotic Union started negotiations for the formation of a coalition government. Hoop agreed to allow the Patriotic Union to enter government and for the introduction proportional representation to Liechtenstein, despite it being rejected via referendum three years prior. The coalition was put into effect on 30 March 1938. Under this coalition, deputy prime minister Anton Frommelt, a member of the Progressive Citizens' Party, was succeeded by Alois Vogt of the Patriotic Union. In addition, Hoop's second cabinet was succeeded by a new cabinet, now containing several members of both parties.

The following day, Franz I made Franz Joseph his regent and moved to a family estate in Feldberg, Czechoslovakia. He later died on 25 July while at one of his family's castles, Castle Feldberg, with Franz Joseph formally succeeding him. Although Franz stated that he had given the regency to Franz Joseph due to his old age, it was speculated that he did not wish to remain in control of the principality if Nazi Germany were to invade, primarily because his wife Elsa was of Jewish relation. Due to the formation of the coalition government, Liechtenstein Nazis formed the German National Movement in Liechtenstein (VBDL).

Starting from 1938, Hoop was faced with Swiss pressure to transfer the Ellhorn mountain to Switzerland. Though Hoop was supportive of the transfer, he argued that Liechtenstein should be fairly compensated for the loss of territory, such as through 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. Also facing unofficial objections from Nazi Germany, Hoop was forced to end the negotiations with Switzerland.From 2 to 3 March 1939, Franz Josef, Hoop and 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. Hitler met Franz Joseph II and Hoop for a thirty minute meeting, but no negotiations took place. Franz Joseph II 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".

World War II

Throughout World War II, Hoop considered friendly, non-binding, non-provocative diplomacy to be appropriate towards Nazi Germany, supplemented by courtesy gestures. In 1940, during a lecture in Stuttgart, Hoop showed respect for the German armies. He did not consider the reformation of the Liechtenstein Army in order to avoid provocation. Hoop rejected the fascist tendencies of the VBDL, but did not take direct action against it. Instead, its actions were heavily restricted. Despite this, the VBDL instigated political unrest such as fights, bombing attacks and the burning of swastikas. In addition, the Liechtenstein Loyalty Association had been founded in 1939 to oppose the VBDL and maintain Liechtenstein's independence. Hoop attempted to temper the relations between these groups and prevent tensions from escalating into violence.

At the same time, he tied the country as closely as possible to Switzerland during the war in hopes of retaining Liechtenstein's neutrality. His government was given extensive powers to manage the economy during the war and it applied several Swiss war economy laws to Liechtenstein. He achieved the ''de facto'' inclusion of Liechtenstein in the Swiss national supply. However, Swiss distrust of Liechtenstein's official stance grew, primarily due to the actions of the VBDL, and demanded that Hoop's government publicly declared its allegiance to Switzerland, which it did on 5 November 1940. In exchange, Switzerland agreed to a new alien police agreement that allowed Liechtenstein workers to freely travel and work in Switzerland.

Throughout the war Hoop worked closely with Franz Joseph II. However, this relationship strained in the latter years. This was primarily motivated by Franz Joseph II re-opening the Swiss embassy in Bern in 1944 against the wishes of Hoop's government and the Landtag. It was also further strained in 1945 by Hoop permitting Nazi Party member asylum in Liechtenstein, who had been Hoop's primary contact in Nazi Germany since 1933.

Resignation

In September 1945, after seventeen years as prime minister, Hoop formally resigned due to a worsening heart condition and his desire to move on from the role. He also remarked that Franz Joseph II had pressured him to do so, as the prince believed that post-war Liechtenstein required a change in leadership. This belief stemmed from an ongoing diplomatic crisis involving the pro-Axis First Russian National Army led by General Boris Smyslovsky, which had taken refuge in Liechtenstein a few months prior. This ''de facto'' dismissal of Hoop angered many within the Progressive Citizens' Party. He was succeeded by Alexander Frick.

Later life

In 1946, Hoop testified as a witness against the leaders of the German National Movement in Liechtenstein after they were charged for the 1939 coup attempt. Multiple members of Hoop's government were indicted for their actions during the Second World War, notably his former Deputy Alois Vogt, but Hoop was never charged of anything.

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. After graduating, he worked as a lawyer in Vaduz.

Hoop later served as a board member for the National Bank of Liechtenstein and president of the Liechtenstein Constitutional Court. He re-entered into politics when he was elected to the Landtag in the 1957 general election, where he served until his death in 1959. He was President of the Landtag of Liechtenstein from 1958 to 1959.

Personal life and death

Hoop married Emilie Gstöhl (27 February 1898 – 11 February 1997) in 1920; they had no children. His niece, Emma Eigenmann-Schädler was the first woman to serve in the Landtag of Liechtenstein; she served from 1986 to 1993.

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

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". Martin Risch, a member of the Liechtenstein Historical Association and Hoop's successor as President of the Landtag of Liechtenstein, described him as "one of the finest men to serve within Liechtenstein, for his long-term service in the country".

In popular culture

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

Honours

* : Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Principality of Liechtenstein (1937)

See also

* Josef Hoop cabinet
* Politics of Liechtenstein
* History of Liechtenstein
* Electoral history of Josef Hoop

References

Bibliography

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Hoop, Josef
Heads of government of Liechtenstein
20th-century heads of government of Liechtenstein
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World War II political leaders
University of Innsbruck alumni
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1895 births
1959 deaths
Liechtenstein diplomats
Recipients of the Order of Merit of the Principality of Liechtenstein
People from Eschen
Josef Hoop
Members of the Landtag of Liechtenstein (1957–1962)
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