The Image of Joseph the 2nd in the Transylvanian Saxons’ Writing between 1770-1790 Cover Image

Imaginea lui Iosif al II-lea în scrisul săsesc între anii 1770-1790
The Image of Joseph the 2nd in the Transylvanian Saxons’ Writing between 1770-1790

Author(s): Marian Zăloagă
Subject(s): History
Published by: Institutul de Cercetări Socio-Umane Gheorghe Şincai al Academiei Române
Keywords: Joseph the 2nd; Transylvanian Saxons; the Austrian enlightened Emperor; symbolical elements; the paternalistic image; royal propaganda; privileges

Summary/Abstract: Our study is determined by the need to reconstruct, without any subjectivity, the multiple dimensions of the Austrian enlightened Emperor’s image as it was constructed during its (pre) reign period in the Transylvanian Saxons’writing. As we demonstrate his image was not univocally negative. It follows several stages, from a pozitive to a negative one, as a result of the expectations, cultural (auto)identificatory stereotypes, fears, and the effects the enlightened reforms brought about in the Saxons juridical and political habits. As compared with those outlined for the Romanians (see the studies written by Toader Nicoară, Petre Din, Doru Radosav), the Saxons’discourse about this subject matter – our study analyzes - makes use of similar but also particular symbolical elements closely connected to the paternalistic image of the emperor (in fact the feedback expression to the royal propaganda), or that of the first clerk of the state, or that of a god etc. What makes the Saxon case so special is the fact that in the end, Joseph’s image turns into that of the spoliator of the Transylvanian Saxons’privileges. Moreover the discourse reaches this level during the last decade of Joseph’s reign, changing fast not slowly, as the Romanians case certifies, almost a century later. Consequently, the image of Joseph the 2nd as recolected in the historical memory of the Saxon is profoundly influenced.

  • Issue Year: 2004
  • Issue No: 07
  • Page Range: 79-100
  • Page Count: 22
  • Language: Romanian