Maria Theresa: Difference between revisions

In contrast to Maria Theresa's efforts to expel the Jews, she aimed to convert the [[Protestants]] (whom she regarded as heretics) to Roman Catholicism.{{sfn|Stollberg-Rilinger|2017|pp=644–647}} Commissions were formed to seek out secret Protestants and intern them in workhouses, where they would be given the chance to subscribe to approved statements of Catholic faith. If they accepted, they were to be allowed to return to their homes. However, any sign of a return to Protestant practice was treated harshly, often by exile.{{sfn|Stollberg-Rilinger|2017|pp=647–666}} Maria Theresa exiled Protestants from Austria to [[Transylvania]], including 2,600 from [[Upper Austria]] in the 1750s.{{sfn|Beller|2006|p=87}} Her son and co-ruler Joseph regarded his mother's religious policies as "unjust, impious, impossible, harmful and ridiculous".{{sfn|Beales|2005|p=14}} Despite her policies, practical, demographic and economic considerations prevented her from expelling the Protestants ''en masse''. In 1777, she abandoned the idea of expelling [[Moravian Church|Moravian Protestants]] after Joseph, who was opposed to her intentions, threatened to abdicate as emperor and co-ruler. {{sfn|Vocelka|2000|p=201}} In February 1780, after a number of Moravians publicly declared their faith, Joseph demanded a general freedom to worship. However, Maria Theresa refused to grant this upfor untilas thelong timeas ofshe her deathlived. In May 1780, a group of Moravians who had assembled for a worship service on the occasion of her birthday were arrested and deported to Hungary.{{sfn|Stollberg-Rilinger|2017|p=665}} Freedom of religion was granted only in the Declaration of Tolerance issued by Joseph immediately after Maria Theresa's death.{{sfn|Stollberg-Rilinger|2017|p=666}}