Impact Of Joseph 2 On Enlightenment Madness

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Marshall Thomas Ann Marie Sather Western Civ P8 28 March 2023 “Enlightenment Madness” Joseph II Although baron de montesquieu was one of the founders of sociology and has a large impact on enlightenment, Joseph II has more of an impact on the enlightenment today. Montesquieu was one of the most important men and was even the inspiration of checks and balances and distribution of power and overall contributor (not present) to the US constitution. But Joseph has a much larger impact of society today because of his work at freedom. "In 1781 Joseph abolished serfdom” (“Joseph II”). In 1781 Joseph II abolished serfdom in Austria, a decision that had a significant impact on the country's social and economic structure. This led to a greater social quality. This is one of the many free aspects joseph helped establish in austria and after he died, the whole world. Joseph did just work in …show more content…

Joseph fought against religious discrimination and fought with the government to stay out of religion and reduced the Catholic Church's power. Joseph helped make this happen by the edict of toleration. The "edict of toleration lifted the Protestant and Greek Orthodox subjects of the monarchy to a condition of near equality. The next year the Jews of Austria also were granted a measure of toleration" (“Joseph II''). After this all minorities were no longer discriminated against in Austria and this inspired other nations to do the same. Joseph II believed that religious toleration was necessary for social harmony and stability, and significant steps were taken to promote it. Although Joseph IIs steps were very controversial as the Catholic church did not appreciate the change in power and the church and many catholics saw Joseph as heretic and Catholics often opposed his reforms. But overall Joseph IIs commitment was necessary In order to establish many of his reforms and help put his ideas into use to many nations