Wilhelm Beck

[1] He was heavily involved in the rapid democratization and establishment of economic and political ties with Switzerland within the country following the end of World War I, him most notably presenting the original draft for the constitution of Liechtenstein.

Beck was born on 26 March 1885 in Triesenberg as the son of farmer and plasterer by the same name and his mother Karolina Schädler as one of five children.

He criticized the existing poor law, worker welfare and child protection as anti-social and the Liechtenstein constitution as undemocratic.

[18][19] In 1928 the government of Gustav Schädler was the subject of an embezzlement scandal involving the National Bank of Liechtenstein.

Johann II forced his government, including Beck, to resign in June 1928 as a result, and early elections were called.

[1][21] In 1932 an indictment was conducted against Beck in the State Court of Justice for violating supervisory and official duties in the administration of board of the directors of the National Bank of Liechtenstein.

[7][21] However, during this time he was frequently absent from the Landtag due to prolonged ilness, and Basil Vogt was considered to be the defacto representative of the party instead.

[23] Shortly before his death, the Christian-Social People's Party and Liechtenstein Homeland Service merged to form the Patriotic Union in 1936.

[24][25] Beck married Maria Anna Bürke (8 September 1887 – 2 August 1968), a teacher from Wittenbach, on 2 June 1921 and they had four children together.

Beck (left) and Emil Beck in front of the Federal Palace of Switzerland , 1920.
Beck (top-centre) as part of the Liechtenstein delegation for custom union negotiations with Switzerland, 1920.