Joseph II

<p>Joseph II (1741--90) -- son and eventual successor of Maria Theresa -- has conventionally been seen in the context of the "Enlightened Despot'' reformers. Today's turmoil in his former territories invites a rather different perspective, however, as Joseph grapples with the familiar and intractable problems of creating a viable unitary state out of his multi-national empire in Central Europe. Professor Blanning's brilliant short study, based on extensive archival research, offers a history of the Habsburg monarchy in the eighteenth century, as well as a revaluation of the emperor's complex personality and his ill-fated reform programme.</p> <p>Preface<br>Abbreviations<br>1. Jospeh II and the Habsburg Inheritance<br>2. Joseph II, Maria Theresa and Josephine<br>3. Joseph II and the Enlightened State<br>4. Joseph II and the Priveleged Orders<br>5. Joseph II and the Great Powers<br>6. Joseph II and the crisis of the Habsburg Monarchy<br>Conclusion<br>Further reading<br>Chronology<br>Map<br>Index</p>