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'''Joseph II''' (1741&ndash;1790), Holy Roman Emperor and ruler of the Hapsburg (Austrian) territories, was the arch-embodiment of the [[Enlightenment]] spirit of the later 18th-century reforming monarchs known as the benevolent despots, or [[[[enlightened despotism|enlightened despots]].<ref> Hamish H. Scott, ed. ''Enlightened Absolutism,'' (1990)</ref> His career is notable for the scope of the reforms designed to modernize his empire, for the dedication with which he served the state, for the impetuosity with which he acted, for the violent opposition he aroused in all classes in every part of his empire for his excessive reforms, and for the failure which dogged most of his projects.

'''Joseph II''' (1741&ndash;1790), Holy Roman Emperor and ruler of the Hapsburg (Austrian) territories, was the arch-embodiment of the [[Enlightenment]] spirit of the later 18th-century reforming monarchs known as the benevolent despots, or [[enlightened despotism|enlightened despots]].<ref> Hamish H. Scott, ed. ''Enlightened Absolutism,'' (1990)</ref> His career is notable for the scope of the reforms designed to modernize his empire, for the dedication with which he served the state, for the impetuosity with which he acted, for the violent opposition he aroused in all classes in every part of his empire for his excessive reforms, and for the failure which dogged most of his projects.

==Life==

==Life==

Joseph II was born on March 13, 1741, the eldest son of [[Maria Theresa]] and the future Holy Roman Emperor [[Francis I]] (r. 1745&ndash;1765). His youth coincided with the critical span of Austrian history marked by the mid-18th-century [[War of the Austrian Succession]] and the [[Seven Years' War]]. In the course of this ordeal, the Hapsburg monarchy narrowly avoided dismemberment; it was fortunate to escape with the loss of no more than its richest province, Silesia. This wartime experience conditioned Joseph's entire outlook, instilling in him a passion for reform as a means of enhancing the strength and efficiency of his dominions, a love for the army, and the ambition to leave his mark in history as a military conqueror.

Joseph II was born on March 13, 1741, the eldest son of [[Maria Theresa]] and the future Holy Roman Emperor [[Francis I]] (r. 1745&ndash;1765). His youth coincided with the critical span of Austrian history marked by the mid-18th-century [[War of the Austrian Succession]] and the [[Seven Years' War]]. In the course of this ordeal, the Hapsburg monarchy narrowly avoided dismemberment; it was fortunate to escape with the loss of no more than its richest province, Silesia. This wartime experience conditioned Joseph's entire outlook, instilling in him a passion for reform as a means of enhancing the strength and efficiency of his dominions, a love for the army, and the ambition to leave his mark in history as a military conqueror.

[[category:Heads of State]]

[[category:Heads of State]]