Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor

Reign: 1765 – 1790
Life: 1741–1790

He was thus the first ruler in the Austrian dominions of the union of the Houses of Habsburg and Lorraine, styled Habsburg-Lorraine. Joseph was a proponent of enlightened absolutism like his brother Leopold II; however, his commitment to secularising, liberalising and modernising reforms resulted in significant opposition, which resulted in failure to fully implement his programs. He has been ranked with Catherine the Great of Russia and Frederick the Great of Prussia as one of the three great Enlightenment monarchs. False but influential letters depict him as a somewhat more radical philosophe than he probably was. His policies are now known as Josephinism. He was a supporter of the arts, particularly of composers such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri.

During Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor's reign, George III of Great Britain ruled Great Britain, Catherine II of Russia ruled Russia, and Frederick II of Prussia ruled Prussia.

The World During Their Reign

The most notable rulers who held power elsewhere at the same time, from European courts to Ottoman, Mughal, and Chinese thrones.

Meanwhile in history

One “meanwhile in history” story each week: who ruled where, and what was happening on thrones across the world.

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