# Joseph II - Holy Roman Emperor

URL: https://germany-history.com/rulers/joseph-ii
Reign: 1765–1790
Born-Died: 1741 - 1790
Dynasty: Habsburg-Lorraine
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_II,_Holy_Roman_Emperor

Enlightened reformer who abolished serfdom and granted religious toleration in Austria.

## Succession
- Preceded by: [Francis I](https://germany-history.com/rulers/francis-i)
- Succeeded by: [Leopold II](https://germany-history.com/rulers/leopold-ii)

## Timeline events during this reign
- 1772 - [First Partition of Poland](https://germany-history.com/timeline/1772-first-partition-of-poland)
- 1774 - [Goethe's Werther](https://germany-history.com/timeline/1774-goethe-s-werther)
- 1781 - [Kant's Critique of Pure Reason](https://germany-history.com/timeline/1781-kant-s-critique-of-pure-reason)