Austrian Absolutism: The Habsburg Empire 1765-1790 

fact checked by real enlightened despots

If you ever wondered, EU4 gave him a stat of 5/6/4, high than his mother's 5/5/4

Jospeh instructed that his epitaph should read: "Here lies a ruler who, despite his best intentions, was unsuccessful in all of his endeavors."

I really believe Emperor Joseph was an incredible man and had he been more tactful than an ox in a chinashop and respected his subjects culture and traditions he could've gotten away with a lot of his reforms. Hearing about his wife and only daughter dying and he just threw himself into the work of the state to essentially deal with the grief makes him more human to me than most monarchs. Enlightened absolutists are a dime a dozen but when they make their mark in history you definitely don't forget them.

Emperor Josef's reign is like in vicky 3 when you cant be botherd to slowly reform, so you fight the civil war instead.

the fact that he has the making of a great king is always the most tragic thing for me, dilligent, intelligent, rational, very egalitarian for the person of his stature in his age, but lacking grasp in the reality of his age, arrogant and lacking understanding in the social dynamics of his subjects, thinking he knows better.

If Louis XVI had 1% of Joseph's energetic personality the French revolution might not have happened. Great video I'm looking forward to see what's next.

No hesitation to click your vids every time

Adding more Germans to the Empire would have also strengthened Austria in Germany against the Prussian challenge. It is a fascinating and little-known period of history but it had great consequences, as an Independent Bavaria would prove a thorn in the Habsburg side, and their inability to consolidate in Germany would have major consequences for the future.

Hapsburg Austria was so weird. If the doom that ultimately came to The Ottoman Empire in the 19th/20th century was a historical inevitability, the doom that came to Austria seems like a failure to just get with the program in spite of constant opportunities to do so.

Dash my wig! For there has been a new upload!

If I remember correctly Marie Christine was also Maria Theresa's favorite, which was one of the reasons she was allowed to wed the Duke of Tsechen for love. Prince Albert may have had it bad with Victoria favoring her namesake but at least the favorite child did not also steal the affections of his wife.

Wow, I quite felt sorry for Joseph, losing a wife and a child you loved would leave deep scars.

More Austrian History? You spoil me sir! Keep up the great work! Im sure I'll watch this video Again amd Again

Have you ever thought of covering the Russian empire in the same period, it would make a good counter point. Love your content, your understanding and sympathetic narrative really helps to understand the motivations of the states and personalities, thank you for this great service to understanding.

This is the first time I watched an extensive video about Joseph 2 and I am glad it was yours

As an austrian, I did not expect you to make this interesting. I thought the video was gonna be boring but it turned out that I'm pretty invested.

Every day I see a new Old Britannia video my day gets better

A double entry accounting and Deloitte reference! Amazing

That was entertaining and informative. I like the ending telling us to stay tuned. The actor playing the emperor in the movie Amadeus did resemble the actual person.

Thank you so much. I am infatuated with the Hapsburgs. I love this series. Please continue

I'm not usually that interested in Austrian history, but I watched a few minutes and before I knew it the whole video was over. Great vid

Another documentry, incredible as alwasy! Keep it up!

Best take on Joseph ii I have ever seen this channel is gold

Splendid! And, as ever, wonderfully written. Thank you.

Yet another fantastic video. An excellent series you are creating.

Super interesting, I have never seen Joseph II's life covered in this much detail. Thanks Old Britannia

Cambridge history student here- this channel is probably the best on history I’ve ever seen! Please keep it up, you are amazing!

Excellent video. I recently bought The Habsburg Empire: A New History a couple days ago can't wait to read it. I find the Habsburgs fascinating. Can't wait for the next part.

Fantastic video as always.

Just found your channel and insta subscribed. Wish id found you sooner! Such a refreshing well researched new history channel. Im shocked by the quality of even your first video and am eager to see you continue to grow. Thanks for all the great content, keep up the great work!

As usual, a very high quality, informative and entertaining video. This era of history is one of my absolute favourites and your sympathetic and balanced perspective of the topics is very refreshing, as well as your thorough research. Keep up the great work. After concluding the series on Austria, you should consider making a similar one on Russia, which is, as one expects with Russia, has more extreme, dysfunctional and unpredictable happenings.

A masterfully crafted video, from the narration to the visuals, minimalist yet beautiful 👌

Some truly fine work, my dear sir, a piece that doesn't fail in my estimations of your channel. Marvelous day, whenever you publish such a piece!

Great video!!! I am excited for the next one

His epithet in in Hungarian history is the 'king with a hat' (a kalapos király) - as he didn't let himself be crowned.

Great video and topic!

Been looking forward to the next video

Excellent, as anticipated. One thing. @6:41 "A widow at 22, he..." => _widower._

Small correction on the map in 18:04, Austria has only annexed Bukovina after the 1st partition of Poland, which back then was owned by the Ottoman vassal of Moldavia and not Poland itself

“His reforms…sprang from self-love tempered by abstract ideals of justice and from disdain of all who differed from him… as a human being he seems to have hardly existed” - Edward Crankshaw in his book, “Maria Theresa” I’m a bit more sympathetic to the reign of Joseph II, but how could I NOT include such a cutting eulogy about the maligned “tied despot” lmao.

Amazing video

Always quality

Spectacular content!

Great video

Loving this series on Austria!

great work!

I am so sad that you did not mention the battle of Karensebes in the video. Even though it is overstated and filled with inaccuracies, a mention of the notirious and funny battle would have been nice.

Always amazing

Bravo good sir You have done it again

Simply Amazing! Only Apostolic Majesty can surpass your utterly amazing content! Keep doing deep dives.

Had to rewind when I heard the Deloitte reference to make sure I heard it right. On point lol

I love this man and his videos

Great Content! Love it. Greetings from "the Lands of the Bohemian Crown (Czechia)"

Very good as always! It would be interesting to see videos about Pope Pius, Charles III of Spain and also Leopoland and Francis of Austria!

Another good video to watch over dinner. Out of curiosity would you ever do the Spanish Empire at its height? After reading some of Kamen’s work on it it’s quite the success story

I really lover your hard work please countuine

This channel in style reminds me somethimes of Historia Civilis, although vastly different in topic. Nevertheless this channel has nothing to envy from anyone, a video release is like a movie premiere

Wunderbar

The world needs more in depth Austrian history videos

Love the content! Are you planning on covering the opium wars?

Any chance we will get a video on Catherine the Great's Greek plan? Joseph was somewhat involved in that and it was a fascinating what if.

Another video ❤

Definitely agree with your conclusion, he tried to move things along too quickly

Joseph II is remembered negatively in Belgium to this day.

I still hate that you got rid of the fall of Persia series

Your videos when Britain are not involved are genuinely so so good.

25:56 Joseph II:Only 100 edicts a year? Huh those are rookie numbers, u gotta pump those numbers up

Dear Mr. Old Britannia, would you mind doing a video about Austria in the war of the Spanish Succession? Especially focusing on Joseph I. (the seconds grand-oncle)?

On a bit of a roll with the Austrian content atm aren't ya

The slight to Deloitte was great 😂😂

Only one thing I'd add: by Joseph II's reign the title King of the Romans was usually referred to as "King in Germania" (Germaniae rex, König in Germanien), since at least the 16th century. Technically the King of the Romans did not have automatic right to be crowned Emperor - that title was in the gift of the Pope. However, by the 18th century the Habsburgs would crown themselves de facto Emperors without Papal approval and this was largely accepted although not by the Papal States, obviously. Obviously by this point the Protestant reformation had meant that much of former Imperial lands no longer cared about Papal imprimatur (a situation the devoutly Catholic Habsburgs quietly exploited) but there was still a sense that a Papal coronation had some special resonance even by this stage - it is why Napoleon kidnapped the Pope and forced him to participate in a coronation in an attempt to present himself as a latter day Charlemagne.

I wonder if the 1788 disaster at Karansebes had anything to do with his reforms. Those miscommunications between the diverse soldiery might very well be the result of him jamming these ethnically distinct forces together during his centralisation efforts.

Facinating period in European history, thanks! 😃🇦🇹❤️‍🩹😃😍

Hello mate. I just have to say I'm an absolute fan of your channel. Do you sharing what books you have on your wishlist or any book recommendations?

I found him bears a resemblance of the Chinese Emperor Yang Guang of Sui. The later was also the son of a great person - the first Sui emperor that united China after almost three hundred years of chaotic Jin rules followed by North-South division. He was too ridiculously arrogant and had reforms that went too far too quickly, though in Chinese fashion it also included treating the peasants too harshly. Nevertheless he was eventually remembered as one of China's worst tyrants and a stepping stone for the better-praised era of Tang.

A new Old Britannia video? Yes please.

I absolutely adore your videos and even bought some source materials you cited, such as Britannia Overruled. Are you planning on doing a Patreon or some form of subscription to help you grow the channel? It would be nice to be able to pay you for your work somehow, maybe this would allow you hire people like video editors so you can focus on writing and research etc.

Make a video about the Bishopric of Liege

Someone should make a movie about this man. Tragic life indeed.

..... Unfortunately, the one who was to Arrive in Vienna wouldn´t be there for too long (one of the more interesting and impactfull `what if´s ` of the 18th century imo). And yeah anyone who knows anything about the upcoming age named after a certain French individual will know that the next episode is not going to be the most..... pleasant for the Habsburg let´s just say. (least spoilery spoiler ever.....)

Would have love to hear how his teacher, Count Martini influenced his reforms!

Make a video about the Bishopric of Salzburg

I appreciate the jab at Deloitte

cool vid, list of sources would be hella nice tho

Hello sir, can you share your soundtrack choices ?

Would a video on the first Greek Kingdom and the effect it had on pan-European politics ever be possible? If not, do you think you can perhaps cover more dealings with the Austrians and other Europeans pertaining to economics and debt owed by the Ottomans and it influences foreign relations?

Make a video about the Bishopric of Munster

Bit of a shame that Joseph lacked the social skills to pull through his reforms, he was a bit of a mercurial prodigy. I could say that in the popular memory of my country, his younger brother Leopold has a much better reputation, unfortunately he died early and was succeeded by his least talented son.

What literature did you use for research on this topic? Can you recommend renowned literature that covers Joseph II's rule? I would like to read established works about him, if there are any.

23:14 The acquired Innviertel is 2.250km² in size. Joseph II. was aiming for more but still this land is not too shabby. It is one of the most productive regions of Austria and - as a sidenote - Adolf Hitler was also born there just at the border with back then the German Empire. As his birthplace was only part of Austria for little over 100 years I guess that's one of the reasons why he felt less connected to Austria and was easily inclined towards a more German-nationalistic approach.

Yes...

Speaking of learning and training to be Emperor, Czar Nicky could have gotten the thrown at King Charles's age, and he STILL won't been ready

Yes

Great video but on the map it shows Prussia owning Hohenzollern, a land it didn’t inherit until 1848. During this time Hohenzollern was divided between the principalities of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen and Hohenzollern-Hechingen, which were ruled by the Swabian branch of the House of Hohenzollern.

Could you put in subtitles for your videos?

What music do you use in the video background?

For the Americans in the audience who's ears are too free to understand 13:54 Its Deloitte a british professional services company.

It's so interesting how many times the Austrian Empire almost collapsed.

Lol @ the jibe at Deloitte. Too real.