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How did Joseph II change the University of Vienna?
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Joseph II
Joseph II, Holy Roman emperor, detail of a painting by Pompeo Girolamo Batoni, 1769; in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.
Under the reign of Joseph II, the University of Vienna underwent significant changes as part of his broader effort to modernize the state and reduce the influence of the church.
Key reforms included:
- State Control: Joseph II removed the university from the influence of the church, placing it under the direct oversight of the state.1
- Academic Recruitment: He actively sought to appoint the best available scholars and scientists to the university faculty.1
- Expanded Access: Through his Edict of Toleration and related legislation, Joseph II granted Jews the right to study at universities, a significant shift from previous policies that had restricted their access to higher education.23
These actions were consistent with Joseph II’s "enlightened" approach to governance, which prioritized secular administration and the efficient use of human capital to strengthen the monarchy.1