How Did Joseph II Influence The Ideals Of The Enlightenment

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Having been enlightened by common philosophies of his time during his short reign of the Habsburg Empire in the late 1700s, the despot, Joseph II, having a clear vision of his empire as powerful and benevolent, employed his power to enact many long desired, Enlightenment-influenced reforms over his people. The Despot’s reigning ideas were characterized as modern and enlightened as they followed the rational thought presented by popular philosophes, including Voltaire, Father Hidalgo, and Thomas Jefferson. His opinions, representative of Enlightenment ideals, were rooted in the abolition of serfdom, religious tolerance, and educational reform, which made Joseph II an exemplary sovereign of the Enlightenment age. As the Enlightenment continued …show more content…

Having been influenced by Enlightenment philosophes, including Voltaire and Thomas Jefferson, who were educated in rational thoughts and Enlightenment concepts ranging from science and maths to more literary subjects. Joseph II expressed to his peoples their liberty to the right to an education. To prevent his subjects from becoming intractable he imposed a mandatory education, law which “called for compulsory education for all children from the age 6-12, conducted in every parish by a school-teacher trained at an official college level of education” (Blanning 68). Furthermore, Joseph composed scholarships for underprivileged yet talented children of the lower class, and constructed schools, not only for Catholic Austrians but for those of religious minorities as well, due to his actions concerning religious toleration. It was also decreed for teaching to be performed in German rather than Latin. In educating Austrian, Joseph II opened their eyes to a new world of possibilities that could be achieved through the actions of logical thought and reason. As scientific discoveries continued to grow, the citizens were able to implement their taught concepts to routine activities, including the budgeting of money, crop sales, government, and politics. Through education, Joseph strengthened his empire to an incomprehensible extent, while continuing to apply enlightened philosophies unto his

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