Question

Why can be joseph II be considered an Enlightened despot ?

Answer 1

Joseph II of Austria, and emperor of the Holy Roman empire, can be considered as an enlightened despot because:

• he was recognized by his contemporary fellow monarchs as a highly cultured man, in contrast with many monarchs prior to him who took no interest in learning and knowledge; he used his culture as an instrument to become a better ruler
• he abolished servitude in his empire, an institution he believed anachronistic and unfair
• he managed to do away with the political participation of the Catholic Church in the government and its business since he deemed the role of the Church was a spiritual one, not a secular one
• he sponsored the arts (especially music which he enjoyed most) and commissioned one of the greatest musicians of all times, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart with the composition of several pieces of music, mostly operas
• he carried out educational reforms
• in a time of religious intolerance, he allowed his subjects to profess the religion of their choice and protected them with laws