Joseph II (1741-1790) was an emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, which was a German-based empire in western and central Europe. He was co-ruler with his mother, Maria Theresa, from 1765 to 1780. After his mother died in 1780, Joseph was sole ruler until his death. During his reign, he began a number of reforms, but few of them endured after he died.
Joseph was born in Vienna, Austria. After he began ruling the Holy Roman Empire alone, Joseph made reforms that he felt would enable his subjects to be more productive citizens. For example, he abolished serfdom and devised a new system of taxation of land. Also, he issued edicts of religious toleration. The Roman Catholic Church was the dominant church of the empire, but Joseph extended rights to Jews, Orthodox Christians, and Protestants.
Joseph made enemies because of his reforms, particularly among the nobility and officials of the Roman Catholic Church. He faced resistance when he tried to make German the language of government and education throughout the empire. He also became unpopular because of costly and unsuccessful attempts to expand his empire. In 1787, he joined Russia in a war against the Ottoman Empire. Joseph and his army, which he commanded himself, suffered humiliating defeat. His health was broken, and he died before the war ended.
