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24 The reforms begun by Maria Theresa were continued with great persistency by Joseph II. To achieve the centralisation of the monarchy, Joseph II. endeavoured, with the aid of the centralist bureaucracy, to make of different-speaking peoples a single nation, speaking exclusively German, and to destroy anything that prevented him from imposing his will on the people. He followed this aim, not only in Cisleithania, but also in Hungary. Of all the Habsburgs, he alone, strange to say, was inspired by abstract ideas of enlightened absolutism, and a keen desire to serve his people rather than his dynasty.

And he it was who, when not imbued with hostile sentiments against us, even though we were Czechs, understood his mission so well that he even tried to make us happy while assassinating, or rather trying to exterminate us as a nation. Happily his political measures had an unexpected effect. The ideas resulting from the French Revolution were now beginning to spread throughout Europe, and had penetrated also into Austria. The individualistic philosophy was liberating the individual consciousness, and influencing directly the life and liberty of nations. The downfall of the Feudal System and the coming of democracy confirmed the right of citizens, and through them the rights of oppressed nationalities. In Bohemia