Kaunitz and Enlightened Absolutism 1753-1780

400 Pages·1994·6.68 MB·English

by  Franz A. J. Szabo

This is the first major archivally based study of the political career of
Wenzel Anton Kaunitz, State Chancellor of the Habsburg Monarchy
from 1753 to 1792. Author of the diplomatic revolution of 1756 and
brilliant foreign minister of the Austrian Empire, Kaunitz was also the
most important statesman in the development of enlightened absolutism
in central Europe. Virtually the third head of state under Maria Theresia
and Joseph II, he was the driving force behind the many reforms which
sought to modernize the Monarchy. Using Kaunitz as a focus, the author
explores the dynamic of the development of enlightened absolutism in the
Habsburg Empire through its most influential proponent and spokesman.
Enlightened absolutism in the Habsburg Monarchy produced some of
the boldest innovations in eighteenth-century Europe, and this book
analyzes the full complexity of the decision-making process.

Kaunitz and enlightened absolutism 1753-1780

Kaunitz and enlightened
absolutism 1753-1780
Franz A. J. Szabo
Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
CAMBRIDGE
UNIVERSITY PRESS
Published by the Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge
The Pitt Building, Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1RP
40 West 20th Street, New York, NY 10011-4211, USA
10 Stamford Road, Oakleigh, Melbourne 3166, Australia
© Cambridge University Press 1994
First published 1994
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Library of Congress cataloguing in publication data
Szabo, Franz A. J.
Kaunitz and enlightened absolutism, 1753-1780/by Franz A. J. Szabo.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 0 521 45163 9 hbk ISBN 0521 46690 3 pbk
1. Kaunitz-Rietberg, Wenzel Anton, Fiirst, 1711-1794. 2. Austria -
History - Maria Theresa, 1740-1780. 3. Austria - Politics and government -
1740-1780. I. Title.
DB69.9.K38S96 1994
943.6'03/092-dc20 93-5069 CIP
ISBN 0 521 45163 9 hardback
ISBN 0 521 46690 3 paperback
Transferred to digital printing 2004
For my mother
Theresia Bauer Szabo
and in memory of my father
Gottfried M. Szabo
(1921-1990)
Nous ne demandons qu'a faire voir a l'Europe
combien la vraie philosophic, c'est a dire la philosofie
bienfaisante, fait de progres dans ce siecle. Vous
etes Monsieur a la tete de ceux qui l'encouragent...
Voltaire to Kaunitz, 3 July 1766
Contents
Preface page xi
List of abbreviations xviii
1 Introduction 1
Absolutism and enlightened absolutism in the Habsburg Monarchy 2
Family background and early life of Kaunitz 7
Personality and mind of Kaunitz 20
2 Chancellor of State 36
The evolution of the Habsburg Foreign Ministry 38
From War Cabinet to Council of State 51
Co-Regency adjustments 61
3 The structure of government 73
The Haugwitz revolution 74
The Kaunitz reform 83
The ascent of Joseph II 99
4 The financial crises of the Monarchy 113
The Haugwitz reforms and the Seven Years War 115
New priorities and post-war recovery 130
Foundations for economic development 142
5 The transformation of society 154
The agrarian sector 155
From subject to citizen 180
The cultural dimension 197
6 Church and state 209
Kaunitz and the rise of " Josephinism " 210
Dismantling the confessional state 229
The issue of toleration 247
7 The military albatross 258
The Seven Years War 259
The conscription crisis 278
Building a Habsburg navy 295
IX
x Contents
8 The problem of Hungary 303
Kaunitz's Hungarian " system " 305
Policies of political penetration 315
Policies of political containment 328
9 Conclusion 346
Bibliography 355
Index 368