Chapter 18 Part 6 Austria Maria Theresa and Joseph II

Maria Theresa NOT an Enlightened Despot NOT an Enlightened Despot Remember Charles VI and Pragmatic Sanction of 1713: Remember Charles VI and Pragmatic Sanction of 1713: The Great Powers agreed that the Hapsburg Empire would remain intact under his daughter’s rule The Great Powers agreed that the Hapsburg Empire would remain intact under his daughter’s rule

Maria Theresa Took power in 1740 Took power in 1740 Official title: Archduchess of Austria and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia Official title: Archduchess of Austria and Queen of Hungary and Bohemia Her husband had the HRE title (Salic Law) Her husband had the HRE title (Salic Law) She was kind to the peasants and tried to encourage nobility to extend kindness to the peasants BUT she thought the Enlightenment was silliness She was kind to the peasants and tried to encourage nobility to extend kindness to the peasants BUT she thought the Enlightenment was silliness

Maria Theresa War of the Austrian Succession: lost Silesia War of the Austrian Succession: lost Silesia Seven Years’ War: Lost Silesia Seven Years’ War: Lost Silesia BUT was helped by the Hungarian nobility in defeating a Bohemian revolt BUT was helped by the Hungarian nobility in defeating a Bohemian revolt She DID work to centralize the empire She DID work to centralize the empire And limited the power of the nobility And limited the power of the nobility

Maria Theresa Did more to help the condition of the serfs than any other ruler in European history to that time Did more to help the condition of the serfs than any other ruler in European history to that time Only her son, Joseph II did more Only her son, Joseph II did more She DID come to the aid of the peasnts in the 1770’s when disease and famine were widespread She DID come to the aid of the peasnts in the 1770’s when disease and famine were widespread

Limited the Power of the Nobles Reduced their power over serfs Reduced their power over serfs Some serfs were partially freed Some serfs were partially freed Feudal dues paid by peasants were reduced or eliminated Feudal dues paid by peasants were reduced or eliminated Nobles were taxed Nobles were taxed

Maria Theresa’s Reforms: Remember …she was NOT an enlightened despot Remember …she was NOT an enlightened despot Increased the size of the army from 30, 000 to 100,000 + Increased the size of the army from 30, 000 to 100,000 + Improved the tax system Improved the tax system Reduced conflicts between provinces within the empire Reduced conflicts between provinces within the empire Reduced the use of torture in legal proceedings Reduced the use of torture in legal proceedings

Maria Theresa took control of the Church in Austria Tried to reduce the Pope’s influence in Austria Tried to reduce the Pope’s influence in Austria Suppressed the Jesuits…other monarchs as well. Suppressed the Jesuits…other monarchs as well. Showed the power of the state over the Church Taxed the Church in Austria Taxed the Church in Austria She believed that the Church and the Nobility were the foundations of the state She believed that the Church and the Nobility were the foundations of the state

Maria Theresa and economic development Hoped that giving serfs SOME freedom would make them more productive Hoped that giving serfs SOME freedom would make them more productive Abolished Guilds Abolished Guilds Abolished internal customs duties (internal tariffs) Abolished internal customs duties (internal tariffs) Encouraged immigration Encouraged immigration Improved transportation Improved transportation Supported private enterprise Supported private enterprise

BUT Maria Theresa NOT an Enlightened Despot Was not a fan of the Enlightenment Was not a fan of the Enlightenment Did not allow much Religious Toleration but some toleration for Protestants Did not allow much Religious Toleration but some toleration for Protestants

Joseph II Was coregent with his mother Was coregent with his mother The Greatest of the Enlightened Despot but the least effective The Greatest of the Enlightened Despot but the least effective Was a HUGE fan of the Enlightenment and its emphasis on reforms Was a HUGE fan of the Enlightenment and its emphasis on reforms A firm believer in Absolutism A firm believer in Absolutism

Major Reforms of Joseph II Abolished Serfdom in 1781 Abolished Serfdom in 1781 Nobles resisted Nobles resisted Was opposed by many peasants because they had to pay their obligations to the lord in cash rather than in labor. They had very little cash Was opposed by many peasants because they had to pay their obligations to the lord in cash rather than in labor. They had very little cash This was rescinded after his death This was rescinded after his death His brother, Leopold II, needed the nobles’ support His brother, Leopold II, needed the nobles’ support

More Reforms Freedom of religion and civic rights to Protestants and Jews Freedom of religion and civic rights to Protestants and Jews Reduced the influence of the Church Reduced the influence of the Church The Edict on Idle Institutions: suppressed monasteries that did nothing to serve the people The Edict on Idle Institutions: suppressed monasteries that did nothing to serve the people

Joseph II: Reforms A large amount of freedom of the press A large amount of freedom of the press Reformed the judicial system and tried to make it equal for all citizens Reformed the judicial system and tried to make it equal for all citizens Abolished torture Abolished torture Ended the death penalty Ended the death penalty Expanded state schools Expanded state schools Established hospitals, insane asylums, poor houses, orphanages Established hospitals, insane asylums, poor houses, orphanages

Joseph II: Reforms State provided food and medicine for the poor State provided food and medicine for the poor Parks and gardens were made available to the public Parks and gardens were made available to the public Made German the official language in the area in order to assimilate minorities Made German the official language in the area in order to assimilate minorities

Problems of Joseph II Several defeats by the Ottoman Empire Several defeats by the Ottoman Empire Austrian Netherlands were in revolt Austrian Netherlands were in revolt Russia was threatening Austria in the east and in the Balkans Russia was threatening Austria in the east and in the Balkans Leopold II was forced to reverse many of Joseph’s reforms in order to maintain control of the empire Leopold II was forced to reverse many of Joseph’s reforms in order to maintain control of the empire

Don’t Forget The first Partitions of Poland in 1772 The first Partitions of Poland in 1772 Again, Later, 1793 and 1795 Again, Later, 1793 and 1795