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Birth
Oldest son of Maria Theresa and Francis Stephen of Lorraine -
Semi ruler
Joseph became Joseph II, Holy Roman emperor. After his father passed away, but of course he was a co-ruler with his mother. Which he controlled handling military and foreign affairs. They did tend to bud heads while he was co-regent. -
Full control
As soon as his mother, Maria Theresa, died he changed the direction of his government. His reforms included ending serfdom, freedom to press and limiting the power of the Catholic Church. Joseph proceeded to attempt to realize his ideal of enlightened despotism acting on a definite system for the good of all people. He wanted all of these reforms to be done fast with unity. -
Finishing Mothers work
His first work as an Emperor was to make a strong education system throughout the monarchy. He expanded elementary education making it open for all children. also, for the underprivileged, he created scholarship programs that gave poor students an equal opportunity for learning. He always hired the best of scholars and scientists for the University of Vienna. -
Patent of Tolerance
The Patent of Tolerance was a report that declared the Protestant religions or Greeks could now worship and believe in what they believed in freely without consequences from the law. Joseph ll really wanted to give the minorities more religious freedom. This report also stated that non-catholic Christians now had religious freedom. Jews, however, only had religious freedom to a certain point. -
Jews get granted more rights
Joseph II issued the Systematic regulation of the Jews, which gave Jews a lot more rights then what they had. Before Joseph ll passed this law jews could not rent land, could only work at certain places and couldn't work in certain professions. Also, if they weren't wearing certain clothing they would get in trouble. After this law, these acts were now acceptable to society and law -
Death
On February 20, 1790, when he was 48 years old, Joseph passed away in Vienna.
