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Originally Posted by mrbrklyn  Excellent write up, and interesting lesson on the turns and twists of the European path to secular democratized government. It's interesting that the people rose up AGAINST the reforms which were designed and would eventually free them. |
I think the reason for this is because of the WAY he instituted the reforms and a general growing disdain for the empire. From what I gather, Joseph had grand dreams of being a great reformer with an enlightened rule. The problem with this was:
1. Many people would say you cannot be enlightened and still be a despot. By despot I mean an absolute ruler with unlimited power. Enlightened and despot seldom work well together.
2. He was just not a great reformer. Apparently it all looked better ( and easier) on paper. When it came down to instituting the reforms, they were heavy handed, broad and all encompassing not taking into consideration the effect of many of the bureaucratic changes would have on the existing systems. Apparently he was prone to start something with a lot of zeal and lose interest and steam. He seemed to jump from one thing to the other very quickly never giving proper attention to most. I typify him as dreamer sitting in an ivory tower with high minded philosophy but not willing or able to institute these ideals and CERTAINLY not willing to make any sacrifices when it comes to his own absolute power to properly transition to a more enlightened rule (like a constitution)
In the end, those who were against his reforms in the beginning were against them on principle (church opposed to religious reforms), the rest piled on as he botched each step until even his own brother who shared his high minded ideals would not stand by him. He was just the wrong guy for the job.
