Josephinism

(noun)

The collective domestic policies of Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor (1765–1790). During the ten years in which Joseph was the sole ruler of the Habsburg Monarchy (1780–1790), he attempted to legislate a series of drastic reforms to remodel Austria in the form of the ideal Enlightened state. This provoked severe resistance from powerful forces within and outside of his empire.

Related Terms

Examples of Josephinism in the following topics:

  • Napoleon's Marriage to Josephine

  • Joseph II and Domestic Reform

    • Josephinism (or Josephism), as his policies were called, is notable for the very wide range of reforms designed to modernize the creaky empire in an era when France and Prussia were rapidly advancing.
    • He expected government servants to all be dedicated agents of Josephinism and selected them without favor for class or ethnic origins.
    • Josephinism made many enemies inside the empire—from disaffected ecclesiastical authorities to noblemen.