European Royalty: Holy Roman Emperor--Leopold II (1790-92)


Figure 1.--

Leopold was born in 1747. The second son of Mperess Maria Theresa and Holy Roman Emperor Francis I. Leopold married Maria Luisa de Bourbon of Spain in 1765. They had seven children, including Emperor Francis /Franz II who played a major role in the Napoleonic Wars. Austria in the 18th century controlled large areas of northern Italy. Leopold as the younger brother of Maria Theresa was made Duke of Tuscany which he rules from Florence. Historians generally favorably evaluate Leopold's rule in Tuscany. He appearss to have been a progressive ruler, initiating many reforms. Leopold was emperor for a brief period, however, he ruled in tumultous times. He became emperir a year after the French Revolution. Leopold became Emperor on the death of his older brother Joseph II (1790). Upon becoming Emperor, Leopold cancelled many reforms instituted by his brother. Leopold played a major role in launching the wars of the French Revolution. Queen Marie Antoinette in France was his sister. To assist her and his brother-in law King Louis XVI, when he helped organize the Declaration of Pillnitz.

Parents

The second son of Emperess Maria Theresa and Holy Roman Emperor Francis I (1708- ).

Childhood

Leopold was born in 1747.

Education


Marriage

Leopold married Maria Luisa de Bourbon of Spain in 1765.

Children

Leopold's children included: Theresa (1767- ), Emperor Francis/Franz II (1768-1835), Grand Duke Ferdinando/Ferdinand III of Tuscany--Würzburg (1769-1824), Archduke Karl, Duke of Teschen (1771-1847), Archduke Alexander, Palatine of Hungary (1772-1795), Archduke Josef, Palatine of Hungary (1776-1847), Clementina of Austria (1777- ), and Rainer, Archduke (1783- ).

Duke of Tuscany (1765-90)

Austria in the 18th century controlled large areas of northern Italy. Leopold as the younger brother of Maria Theresa was made Duke of Tuscany which he rules from Florence. Historians generally favorably evaluate Leopold's rule in Tuscany. He appearss to have been a progressive ruler, initiating many reforms.

Holy Roman Emperor (1790-92)

Leopold was emperor for a brief period, however, he ruled in tumultous times. He became emperir a year after the French Revolution. Leopold became Emperor on the death of his older brother Joseph II (1790). Upon becoming Emperor, Leopold cancelled many reforms instituted by his brother. We do not fully understand the political curcumstances associated with this. Given his progressive rule in Tuscany it seems surprsing. He apparearently was under considerable pressure from the non-German territories (Belgium, Bohemia, and Hungary) under Austrian rule. Leopold was the last crowned king of Bohemia. Leopold played a major role in launching the wars of the French Revolution. Queen Marie Antoinette in France was his sister. To assist her and his brother-in law King Louis XVI, when he helped organize the Declaration of Pillnitz.







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Created: 5:58 PM 8/4/2004
Last updated: 5:58 PM 8/4/2004