Austrian Absolutism: The Habsburg Empire 1765-1790

In 1765, Joseph II ascended the throne of the Holy Roman Empire. For the next 15 years the young Emperor and his mother, Maria Theresa, ruled the Habsburg Empire.
Joseph proved to be an ambitious and expansionist monarch. His dreams of a centralised and powerful Austrian Empire were to lead to the greatest series of reforms ever undertaken in the Habsburg Monarchy. They were also to lead to disaster.
This video aims to be a short documentary looking at Joseph II's reign. Dealing with his personal life, internal reforms, and foreign policy, particularly his interactions with Frederick the Great of Prussia and Catherine the Great of Russia.
Patreon: / oldbritannia
#History, #AustrianEmpire, #Prussia

[@chbober]

fact checked by real enlightened despots

[@amund8821]

Autocrats*

[@rafaelcanha2923]

@@amund8821 they were called enlightened despots

[@briantarigan7685]

even though he has some stupid idea like banning of imports and removing universities out of towns because of distractions, many of his idea are revolutionary, removing catholic church from the control of education, banning young marriages, removing religious discrimination, only being stopped by the social reality of his era or just a shitty Habsburg Bureaucracy.

[@flazzorb]

@@amund8821 You might as well correct someone saying oranges prevent scurvy by saying "Citrus*".

[@amund8821]

​@@flazzorb I meant it as a joke since the word autocrat was often used because it sounded more benign.

[@bcvetkov8534]

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.

[@fyang1429]

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

[@ryannathaniel9296]

To be fair, it was his mother's humility and ability to recognize and work with people more talented than herself which led her to be the greater monarch

[@dlugi4198]

@@ryannathaniel9296 but the bavaria bruh

[@dale6947]

I can't see how he earned that 6 dip from this video! 5/3/3 seems nearer the mark.

[@Barwasser]

I was actually wondering about that during the video :D

[@repippeas]

The Eu4 figures seem to have far more to do with fame than actual talent as a monarch.

[@itishim23]

No hesitation to click your vids every time

[@user-qk5mm1yw7y]

Underrated channel for sure!

[@harkarankhunkhun7544]

@@user-qk5mm1yw7ymost underrated channel on KZbin. Only KZbinr I actually watch consistently.

[@briantarigan7685]

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.

[@Leo-ok3uj]

He didn’t thought he knew better, he was aware that he knew better

[@briantarigan7685]

@@Leo-ok3uj if he knew better his empire won't be on the brink of collapse at his death .

[@SenorTakaGOD]

That's me!

[@darkphoenix2745]

​@@briantarigan7685He did knew better, his subjects didn't.

[@HK-dv7wf]

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.

[@Hatypus]

To be fair, Louis XVI ending up as the heir was a very strange state of affairs after a century of inconvenient deaths in the French royal family.

[@HK-dv7wf]

@@Hatypus True it also didn't help that the " parlements " were called back during Louis XV's regency. But he gave up his reforms and lacked will and the energy to implement them. His gestion of the revolution was catastrophic and it lay there ground for its idea and the monarchy bring irreconcilable.

[@elibrahams5566]

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

[@bentonite_magma]

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

[@YarPirates-vy7iv]

Butter my scallops! A new upload you say?

[@bentonite_magma]

@@YarPirates-vy7iv indeed

[@crocodileguy4319]

Real Old Brittanians here

[@nightdragonx123]

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

[@merocaine]

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.

[@jackbharucha1475]

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.

[@malcolmw513]

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.

[@FF-qp4xq]

If the Ottomans were bound to decline, they were definitely not doomed.

[@malcolmw513]

@@FF-qp4xq That's fair. I can envision an alternate universe in which a 21st century, federalized Ottoman state still rules most of Arabia. One where the Hashemites and other Arabs (and maybe, maaaybe the majority Muslim Slavic areas) accept the intrinsic power sharing arrangement with the Turks. International relations with such a state would probably be a lot less fraught than what we have now.

[@jackbharucha1475]

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.

[@konradvonschnitzeldorf6506]

Giving up bohemia for bavaria and southern geemany would have been fine in hibdsight. But people did not predict nationalism sufficently

[@James-sk4db]

Nationalism was massively pushed by the new rising power in the west. As it was considered a aspect of the liberalism pushed by the founding fathers.

[@ericcarlson3746]

getting rid of the Austrian Netherlands and the need to always defend it would have been, IMHO, a plus as well. A "gift" from a marriage in the 1470s

[@AtreidesMan]

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

[@robbsclock2675]

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

[@merocaine]

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

[@ellidominusser1138]

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.

[@paulsbertulis3438]

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

[@MIKAEL212345]

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

[@funnybaby27]

A double entry accounting and Deloitte reference! Amazing

[@deadpan_delivry7476]

Too real lol

[@davidmajer3652]

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.

[@sodadrinker89]

That guy got caught with kiddie porn.

[@British_monarchist]

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

[@davidmouritsen]

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

[@wisserke]

Joseph II is remembered negatively in Belgium to this day.

[@EndOfSmallSanctuary97]

Is there anyone NOT remembered negatively in Belgium?

[@wisserke]

@@EndOfSmallSanctuary97 Emperor Charles V for example.

[@greatwolf5372]

​@@EndOfSmallSanctuary97 Leopold II

[@luisfilipe2023]

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

[@TotalTryFails]

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!

[@Vattghern_]

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

[@kreol1q1q]

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

[@unusualhistorian1336]

Another documentry, incredible as alwasy! Keep it up!

[@johnpijano4786]

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.

[@JoanieAdamms]

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!

[@philliprandle9075]

Great video and topic!

[@EndOfSmallSanctuary97]

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.

[@jackbharucha1475]

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.

[@EduardQualls]

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

[@micahistory]

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

[@CatarigMaTt]

Another great video sir!

[@crusader2112]

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.

[@kylemcmullan2831]

Fantastic video as always.

[@eventsmydearboy9208]

Been looking forward to the next video

[@ericcarlson3746]

im already looking or it, must not be up yet! Leopold II!

[@TermihnalProductions]

Spectacular content!

[@user-hc6cr7nw6l]

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

[@giantaxe1327]

Always quality

[@eark3425]

Amazing video

[@lima153330]

Bravo good sir You have done it again

[@matejurkovic7967]

Great video

[@josephb7594]

Loving this series on Austria!

[@noriyakigumble3011]

“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.

[@kgman2635]

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

[@daro4066]

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

[@danehollyoak4897]

Always amazing

[@karelblaha344]

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

[@joshwebb5016]

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

[@shtehfaw]

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

[@LordBeauchamp1994]

I love this man and his videos

[@aregulargamer3813]

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

[@golden_smaug]

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

[@ingold1470]

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.

[@mahzarX]

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?

[@OldBritannia]

Thank you, glad you’re enjoying it. Is there a particular topic you hand in mind? Just general book recommendations for this era id suggest are Schroeders ‘The Transformation of European Politics’, or Tim Blanning’s ‘Europe: The Pursuit of Glory’. Blanning’s review of Schroeder’s book, called ‘Paul Schroeder’s Concert of Europe’ is also very good if you can find the article. Those are very general though. Is it Habsburg history you’re more specifically interested in? If so you might find the Bibliography at the end of the video of use.

[@thekinghass]

I really lover your hard work please countuine

[@christoffellner84]

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)?

[@varbalvarbal]

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

[@fyang1429]

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.

[@andrewryanwasright]

I know Classical Chinese historians have an ax to grind, but Emperor Yang of Sui was a terrible person who surrounded himself with concubines and luxury while Chinese peasants were enslaved for his wars and grand projects. Joseph seems to have been a decent person.

[@jamesh4616]

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

[@raresflorea6855]

The slight to Deloitte was great 😂😂

[@forthrightgambitia1032]

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.

[@Damian-ys9wc]

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.

[@crocodileguy4319]

His sources are at the end

[@foooooof]

cool vid, list of sources would be hella nice tho

[@harkarankhunkhun7544]

There is. Very end of the video.

[@foooooof]

@@harkarankhunkhun7544 thanks, I am a bit stupid

[@Zackary1005]

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.

[@OldBritannia]

Thank you, that's very kind. I do have a Patreon tucked away in the description, please feel under no pressure though. Haha, yes it would be very nice to have a video editor. Unfortunately this content is quite fiddly to make, and I think I'd struggle to pay a fair price for an editor that fits my needs. If the channel continues to grow than maybe in a year or two I could look again. Thank you for the kind words.

[@luciusjuniustavianus7540]

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

[@micahistory]

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

[@komnennos]

The world needs more in depth Austrian history videos

[@KIllerbinful]

Hello sir, can you share your soundtrack choices ?

[@addickland5656]

..... 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.....)

[@whyismyricewet1986]

Make a video about the Bishopric of Liege

[@CantusTropus]

Wunderbar

[@jayfreechavez0000]

Another video ❤

[@whyismyricewet1986]

Make a video about the Bishopric of Munster

[@hashkangaroo]

Make a video about the uprising of Munster

[@d.c.8828]

Make a video about the Hermann of Munster

[@ericcarlson3746]

10:59 smallpox epidemic + Maria Theresa + 1767 same epidemic that killed Isabella of Parma?

[@aceofconquest5745]

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

[@whyismyricewet1986]

Make a video about the Bishopric of Salzburg

[@Thecrownswill]

Could you put in subtitles for your videos?

[@bones6448]

What music do you use in the video background?

[@TRLHistory]

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.

[@The88Cheat]

A new Old Britannia video? Yes please.

[@YarPirates-vy7iv]

No it's an old new Brittania video!

[@castelia2316]

Yes...

[@raptor4916]

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

[@ortegaperu8510]

Yes

[@3bostonboys]

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.

[@aussietom85]

I appreciate the jab at Deloitte

[@anthonyruby2668]

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

[@YarPirates-vy7iv]

Burrrrrrnnnnnn!

[@anthonyruby2668]

@YarPirates-vy7iv sometimes though you do feel for Czar Nicky. And that his clinging to absolute power was more out of being haunted by the ghost of Cardinal Richelieu, who influenced Absolute Monoarcy on the French Monarchy and probably Europe as a whole. Czar Nicky seemed to not want to be Czar. If only he let The Duma take some pressure off his back

[@kidmohair8151]

“…useless, lazy and obstructive.” is, in my opinion, a pretty fair assessment of the Austrian, or indeed, any aristocracy. (not to mention some of the current crops of politicians)

[@Albukhshi]

@ 22:01 The whole incident that follows is why Hitler was born an Austrian. It led to the annexation of Innviertel, where Hitler's family was from. Braunau--Hitler's hometown--would temporarily return to Bavaria during the Napoleonic wars, but Austria kept it for good starting in 1816. That's actually why I got interested in this relatively minor conflict: had it not been for Joseph, it's hard to say what would have happened. Would Hitler still be...Hitler? Or would he just be a nobody?

[@ekesandras1481]

Both of Hitler's parents were from Lower Austria. The family only spent a few years in Braunau/Innviertel because his father Alois was sent there as a custom's officer. They later moved several times to other job assignments. Hitler spent most of his youth not in the former Bavarian Innviertel, but in Upper Austria proper. By American standards you could say he was a military brat, moving several times, therefor not having a real hometown and no circle of friends that accompanied him from childhood to adulthood. Not growing up as a farm boy also meant, that he didn't have to help his parents with physical work. So he got rather spoiled. His late father's pension also allowed him to do virtually nothing after dropping out of highschool. He went to Vienna to study but basically never managed to matriculate into any university.

[@Albukhshi]

@@ekesandras1481 Cool! learned something new!

[@theoel258]

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

[@bm9727]

The history of the Habsburg domains will always be interesting because of its complexicity and diversity from its peoples to their way of life that contrasts one another. It's no wonder why they couldn't survive the wave of nationalism that could come along a century later.

[@TRLHistory]

They were also quite unlucky that the later crop of Emperors were nowhere near as talented as the 18th century roster.

[@guilhermefaleiros4892]

Why didn't maria theresa name her sons Mario

[@anthonyruby2668]

I LOVE how modern youtube channels use maps!!! Unlike documentaries where a guy just sits on a chair and assumes the layman knows where Bessarabia is. Ppl barely know where Moldova is!!!!!

[@BirdEgg123]

Was about to to to sleep, but no. 18th century diplomacy time.

[@dansicklesmissingleg1841]

Watching Amadeus before seeing this was an experience

[@wildfiregaming2717]

Another old britannia classic 🗣🔥