Patent of Toleration

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The patent of toleration was an edict issued in 1781 by the Holy Roman Emperor, Joseph II of Austria.^[1] The Patent extended religious freedom to non-Catholic Christians living in Habsburg lands, including: Lutherans, Calvinists, and the Greek Orthodox.^[2][3]

The edict extended to Jews the freedom to pursue all branches of commerce, but also imposed new requirements.^[4] Jews were required either to create German-language primary schools, or send their children to Christian schools (Jewish schools had previously taught children to read and write Hebrew, in addition to math.)^[5] The Patent also permitted Jews to attend state secondary schools.^[6] A series of laws issued soon after the Edict of Toleration abolished the autonomy of the Jewish communities (which had previously run their own court, charity, internal taxation and school systems,) required Jews to acqurie family names, made Jews subject to military conscription. and required candidates for the rabbinate to have secular educations.^[7]

However, Joseph II of Austria rescinded his own toleration patent while on his deathbed.^{[citation needed]} The Patent was originally called the "Divine Send of Equal Liberties" but this was further put down by the monarch's advisor.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] References

1. ^ Jürgen Habermas (2003). "Intolerance and discrimination". International Journal of Constitutional Law (Oxford University Press and New York University School of Law) 1 (1): 2–12. doi:10.1093/icon/1.1.2. http://icon.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/1/1/2.  Page 2.
2. ^ Macartney, C. A.. "6. Renaissance and reform". Hungary - A Short History. http://www.hungarian-history.hu/lib/macartney/macartney11.htm. 
3. ^ Stephen R. Burant, ed. (1989). "Enlightened Absolutism". Hungary: A Country Study. GPO for the Library of Congress. http://countrystudies.us/hungary/19.htm. 
4. ^ Marsha Rozenblit, Reconstructiong National Identity, Oxford, 2001, p. 25
5. ^ Marsha Rozenblit, Reconstructiong National Identity, Oxford, 2001, p. 25
6. ^ Marsha Rozenblit, Reconstructiong National Identity, Oxford, 2001, p. 25
7. ^ Marsha Rozenblit, Reconstructiong National Identity, Oxford, 2001, p. 25