The statist religious policy that evolves in…
1780 CE to 1791 CE
Joseph's utilitarianism, however, contributes to two important divergences from Maria Theresa's policy: greater religious toleration and suppression of religious institutions and customs deemed contrary to utilitarian principles.
The Edict of Tolerance, issued in 1781, grants Protestants almost equal status with Catholics; other decrees lift restrictions on Jews and open up communities, trades, and educational opportunities previously barred to them.
The utilitarian principles behind religious toleration, however, also inspire Joseph to dissolve Catholic monasteries that are dedicated solely to contemplative religious life and to suppress various traditional Jewish customs he views as detrimental to society and a hindrance to the Germanization of the Jewish population.
The reforms create an administrative, fiscal, and judicial bureaucracy directly responsible to the monarch.
As the seat of the new centralized institutions, Vienna grows from merely being the sovereign's place of residence to a true political and administrative capital.
Hungary, however, is not included in these centralizing administrative reforms.
Maria Theresa, in appreciation for the support Austria had received from the Hungarian nobles during the War of the Austrian Succession, had never extended her reforms to that kingdom.
Locations
Groups
Jews
View →
Germans
View →
Hungarian people
View →
Slavonia region
View →
Croats (South Slavs)
View →
Christians, Roman Catholic
View →
Dalmatia region
View →
Croatia, Kingdom of
View →
Venice, (Most Serene) Republic of
View →
Austria, Archduchy of
View →
Styria, Duchy of
View →
Hungary, Kingdom of
View →
Slovenes (South Slavs)
View →
Poland of the Jagiellonians, Kingdom of
View →
Holy Roman Empire
View →
Turkish people
View →
Ottoman Empire
View →
Protestantism
View →
Hungary, Royal
View →
Croatia, (Habsburg) Kingdom of
View →
Spain, Habsburg Kingdom of
View →
Netherlands, Southern (Spanish)
View →
France, (Bourbon) Kingdom of
View →
Prussia, Kingdom of
View →
Netherlands, Southern (Austrian)
View →