Minister's Message
Minister’s Message – January 15, 2023
Emperor Joseph II, who came to the throne in 1765, is regarded as one of the greatest rulers of Austria. Following the principles of the Enlightenment, he reformed the education system and sought the best scholars and scientists for the universities. He introduced a universal Code of Civil Law, abolished serfdom, and tried to alleviate rural poverty. He improved the public health service, reorganised the army, balanced the monarchy’s finances, permitted all religions to be practised freely and granted freedom to the Press. His emancipation of the Jews gave new vitality to cultural life and he transferred theatre management to the actors. Although Joseph’s foreign policy was less successful, this was very much a “golden age” for his country. Yet this is the epitaph he ordered to be placed on his grave: “Here lies a prince who, despite the best of intentions, was unable to carry out his plans”. A man who achieved so much ultimately felt that he’d been a failure.
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