Grand Duke Leopold II. abolishes the death penalty

Leopold II. a man almost as famous as his mother Maria Theresia

Leopold II, the third son of Maria Theresa and the brother of emperor Joseph II, was undoubtedly an impressive man and a great emperor. Despite his short reign, he managed to continue his brother’s reforms in a moderate manner. This was more acceptable and arguably more effective.

Before he became the emperor, however, Leopold first succeeded his father Francis I and in 1765. He became the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Already then Leopold found the ideas of the enlightenment interesting and was determined to implement them in his governance system. Throughout his 25 years rule as Grand Duke, he significantly improved and rationalised his tax system, established institutions and encouraged fair representation within them. He removed many of the restrictions on commerce, industry and personal freedom, which were imposed by the Medici family, who ruled before him. Initially, his Italian subjects were not fond of him. He was perceived as cold and distant. Yet the major improvements to the quality of life of the Tuscans made him become more and more admired.

Perhaps his most significant achievement as ruler over the small Italian state was the abolishment of the capital punishment. On November 30th, 1786, Grand Duke Leopold changed the law to completely abolish the death penalty, making him the first ruler to do so in modern history. He continued to reform and prohibited torture as well, thus preferring to rule with logic, reason and moderation. How revolutionary!

Photo credit- statues.vanderkrogt.net