Joseph II

Description

Joseph II (1741--90) -- son and eventual successor of Maria Theresa -- has conventionally been seen in the context of the "Enlightened Despot'' reformers. Today's turmoil in his former territories invites a rather different perspective, however, as Joseph grapples with the familiar and intractable problems of creating a viable unitary state out of his multi-national empire in Central Europe. Professor Blanning's brilliant short study, based on extensive archival research, offers a history of the Habsburg monarchy in the eighteenth century, as well as a revaluation of the emperor's complex personality and his ill-fated reform programme. Cover Title Copyright Contents Preface Abbreviations Dedication CHAPTER 1 Joseph II and the Habsburg Inheritance Assets Problems CHAPTER 2 Joseph II, Maria Theresa and Josephism From empire to state The diplomatic revolution The end of the baroque Haugwitz and domestic reform Kaunitz and domestic reform Education Jansenism Church and state Maria Theresa The co-regency CHAPTER 3 Joseph II and the Enlightened State The first servant of the state Autocracy and bureaucracy Education Germanisation Toleration The economy Social reform Crime and punishment Enlightened absolutism CHAPTER 4 Joseph II and the Privileged Orders The church The nobility The peasantry Hungary and Belgium CHAPTER 5 Joseph II and the Great Powers The army and militarism The co-regency Joseph II and the Russian alliance Joseph II and the Dutch Bavaria again The Holy Roman Empire Joseph II and the Great Powers CHAPTER 6 Joseph II and the Crisis of the Habsburg Monarchy Censorship The public sphere Absolutism and enlightenment Belgium The war against the Turks Back from the brink Celebration and death Conclusion Further Reading Chronology Map Index