!!!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
D. Beales, J. In the shadow of Maria Theresia 1741-80, 
1987; K. Gutkas, J., eine Biographie, 1989; H. Magenschab, J. 
Revolutionaer von Gottes Gnaden, %%sup 4/%1989; NDB.



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