Martin Ritter (; 3 March 1872 – 5 September 1947) was an advocate and political figure from
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein (, ; ; ), officially the Principality of Liechtenstein ( ), is a Landlocked country#Doubly landlocked, doubly landlocked Swiss Standard German, German-speaking microstate in the Central European Alps, between Austria in the east ...
who served as the
Chairman
The chair, also chairman, chairwoman, or chairperson, is the presiding officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office, who is typically elected or appointed by members of the gro ...
Mauren
Mauren (; High Alemannic: ''Muura'') is a municipality in Liechtenstein that is situated in the north of the country. It has a population of 4,401. The Curta mechanical calculator was produced by Contina AG, in Mauren.Feldkirch and
Hall in Tirol
Hall in Tirol is a town in the Innsbruck-Land district of Tyrol (state), Tyrol, Austria. Located at an altitude of 574 m, about 5 km (3 mi) east of the state's capital Innsbruck in the Inn (river), Inn valley, it has a population of 14,77 ...
. He studied law in the
University of Innsbruck
The University of Innsbruck (; ) is a public research university in Innsbruck, the capital of the Austrian federal state of Tyrol (state), Tyrol, founded on October 15, 1669.
It is the largest education facility in the Austrian States of Austria, ...
,
Vienna
Vienna ( ; ; ) is the capital city, capital, List of largest cities in Austria, most populous city, and one of Federal states of Austria, nine federal states of Austria. It is Austria's primate city, with just over two million inhabitants. ...
and the
University of Graz
The University of Graz (, formerly: ''Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz'') is a public university, public research university located in Graz, Austria. It is the largest and oldest university in Styria, as well as the second-largest and second-old ...
, where he passed the bar exam in 1902.
Career
In 1898, Ritter unsuccessfully applied for a district judge position in
Vaduz
Vaduz (; or ; High Alemannic pronunciation: [])Hans Stricker, Toni Banzer, Herbert Hilbe: ''Liechtensteiner Namenbuch. Die Orts- und Flurnamen des Fürstentums Liechtenstein.'' Band 2: ''Die Namen der Gemeinden Triesenberg, Vaduz, Schaan.'' ...
. In 1903 and again in 1917 he applied for princely position in the Liechtenstein government, but these were denied by Governor of Liechtenstein
Carl von In der Maur
Carl Josef Anton von In der Maur auf Strelburg und zu Freifeld (also spelled Karl) (16 October 1852 – 11 December 1913) was an Austrian aristocrat and statesman who twice served in the court of Johann II as the Governor of Liechtenstein from ...
and
Leopold Freiherr von Imhof
Leopold Freiherr von Imhof (7 July 1869 – 30 April 1922) was an Austrian civil servant who served as the List of heads of government of Liechtenstein, Governor of Liechtenstein from 1914 to 1918.
Early life and career
Imhof was born on 7 Ju ...
respectively. In 1905 moved to Innsbruck where he opened his own law firm and renounced Liechtensteiner citizenship. It was only after a protracted effort and against the will of Governor Imhof that he managed to regain his citizenship in Mauren through a community vote on 21 October 1917.
During
World War I
World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...
, Ritter was in opposition to Imhof's government. As the war continued, the population grew increasingly dissatisfied with Imhof's leadership. This allowed for politicians such as
Wilhelm Beck
Wilhelm Beck (, ; 26 March 1885 – 20 January 1936) was a lawyer and politician from Liechtenstein who was the founder of the Christian-Social People's Party and later served as the President of the Landtag of Liechtenstein from 1922 to 1927 ...
to gain prominence and growing support in Liechtenstein when he formed an opposition group around himself against Imhof in 1914, of which Ritter became a leading member.'''' He was a founding member of the Christian-Social People's Party in February 1918.
In the
November 1918 Liechtenstein putsch
The November 1918 Liechtenstein putsch (), also known as the Beck putsch was a '' de facto'' coup d'état by the leaders of the Christian-Social People's Party ( or VP) against the government of Governor of Liechtenstein, Leopold Freiherr von Im ...
Ritter, along with Landtag members
Wilhelm Beck
Wilhelm Beck (, ; 26 March 1885 – 20 January 1936) was a lawyer and politician from Liechtenstein who was the founder of the Christian-Social People's Party and later served as the President of the Landtag of Liechtenstein from 1922 to 1927 ...
and
Fritz Walser
Fritz Walser (16 November 1870 – 26 March 1950) was a politician from Liechtenstein who served as President of the Landtag of Liechtenstein from 1919 to 1921. He also served in the Landtag of Liechtenstein from 1906 to 1914, 1918 to 1922, and ...
, who were deeply dissatisfied with Imhof's handling of the economy and who wanted a Liechtensteiner head of state, plotted to overthrow him.'''' In the
Landtag of Liechtenstein
The Landtag of the Principality of Liechtenstein () is the unicameral parliament of Liechtenstein.
Qualifications
Citizens who have attained the age of 18, have permanent residency in the country and have lived in the country for at least on ...
on 7 November 1918 they proposed a motion of no confidence against him. Imhof asked for a vote of confidence and at the same time agreed to submit his resignation. While the Landtag unanimously expressed its confidence in him it was decided, against the
constitution
A constitution is the aggregate of fundamental principles or established precedents that constitute the legal basis of a polity, organization or other type of entity, and commonly determines how that entity is to be governed.
When these pri ...
and the princely appointed Landtag members, to transfer the power of governor to a Provisional Executive Committee led by Ritter.
Within the general population of Liechtenstein the coup was popular, as Imhof was largely seen as the reason for the country's economic crisis. However, in the Landtag it was far more controversial. Ritter in particular was a controversial figure as the first Liechtensteiner head of government, due to the unconstitutional means in which he came into power, despite only serving for one month, from 7 November to 7 December 1918.
Later life and death
Following the Provisional Executive Committee's end in December 1918 Ritter withdrew from politics and once again moved to Innsbruck where he lived a private life. He died in the city on 5 September 1947, aged 75 years old.
Personal life
Ritter married Augusta Fischer (19 August 1878 – Unknown) in 1900 and they had three children together.