Joseph II#

b. Vienna, March 13, 1741, d. Vienna, Feb. 20, 1790, oldest son of Emperor Franz I and Maria Theresia, 1764 King of the Romans, 1765 Holy Roman Emperor, 1765-1780 co-regent with his mother, repeated conflicts with his mother ( Maria Theresia, Age of ). After the 1st partition of Poland in 1772 he acquired Galicia, and 1774/75 occupied and acquired Bukovina and played a significant role in the Bavarian Succession, War of the (acquisition of the Innviertel 1778/1779). Due to his extensive journeys he acquired intimate knowledge of the realm of the monarchy and other countries (France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Southern Germany, Italy, Russia). From 1780 sole regent, completed a programme of major reforms, which was characterised by enlightened despotism ( Josephinism) and included: the abolition of serfdom, to the extent it still existed (especially in Bohemia and Hungary), improvement of the legal standing of the peasantry and soldiers, regulation of taxes and extension of taxation to the nobility and clergy, an Edict of tolerance towards Protestants, the Greek Orthodox Church and Jews, intervention in Catholic institutions, e.g. the dissolution of 400 monasteries and amalgamation of their properties in religious funds ( Religionsfonds) and the proscription of commendatory abbacies, foundation of dioceses in Linz, St. Poelten and Leoben-Goess as well as many parishes, extension of the archdiocese of Vienna, secularisation of the training of priests, prohibition of long pilgrimages, reform of divine service and funerals (transfer of cemeteries away from residential areas) as well as social measures (care of foundlings, instruction for the deaf and dumb, institutions for the poor, General Hospitals in Vienna and Graz). J. disapproved of the Estates and wanted to transform the monarchy into an absolutist, centralised state, including Hungary, and with German as official language. To reach this aim he set up a staff of officials, who were granted certain privileges (tenure, pensions). He also wanted to enforce these measures in Milan and the Austrian Netherlands. However, J. also encouraged regional languages and cultures. His reforms were carried out too rapidly and without prior preparation and were therefore doomed to fail in Hungary and Belgium. In foreign policy, he formed an alliance with Russia and was consequently involved in the Turkish War of 1788.

Literature#