Joseph II's Reforms Triggered Resistance

From 1780 to 1790, Habsburg emperor Joseph II tried to transform the Habsburg monarchy into an ideal Enlightened state through policies known as Josephinism. He abolished serfdom, removed many restrictions against Jews, granted greater religious freedom to Protestants and Orthodox Christians, and weakened the Catholic Church's political power. His rapid reforms provoked fierce resistance, forcing him to withdraw many measures shortly before his death in 1790. His brother and successor, Leopold II, reversed several more reforms but preserved parts of Joseph's program.

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