Mitteilungen des Österreichischen Staatsarchivs 36. (1983)

COONS, Ronald E.: Reflections of a Josephinist. Two Addenda to count Franz Hartig's „Genesis der Revolution in Österreich im Jahre 1848”

Reflections of a Josephinist

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tion of coordinating the activities of the Hofstellen, and rationalize the final decision-making process 31). And thirdly, they consistently supported the principle of monarchical absolutism. Significantly, in each of these areas they found themselves in conflict with Kolowrat. By promoting the Czech renascence and by maintaining close relations with his fellow Bohemian aristocrats, he encouraged opposition to the central bureaucracy; by adroitly using his powers as a member of the Staatskonferenz he helped block administrative reform; and by flirting with Met- ternich’s liberal opponents he endangered the conservative cause * S2). Kolowrat cannot have been without some redeeming features, despite the harsh treatment he receives from Hartig. Nonetheless, his removal from office could only have brought satisfaction to Metternich, who had fought with him for years; to Kiibeck, who came close to hating him; and to Hartig, who was rumored to be his likely successor at the Staatskonferenz 33).

On March 13, 1848, the coalition of Metternich, Hartig, and Kiibeck ended abruptly with Metternich’s resignation and flight into exile. One week later, Kolowrat assumed the post of chief minister in a cabinet pledged to the cause of reform34). From an early date, Hartig was convinced

and Controversy. Essays in Honor of A. J. P. Taylor, ed. Alan Sked and Chris Cook (New York 1976) 1—22. In contrast to the inflexible Kiibeck, Hartig was willing to allow the provincial diets a greater role in local affairs, but only in order to deflect them from their more important goal of gaining influence over policy-making in Vienna. See, e. g., Hanns Schiitter Aus Österreichs Vormärz 4 (Wien 1920) 77—79, and the opinions expressed by Kiibeck and Harting on the Hofkanzlei Vortrag of September 11, 1846: HHStA Conferenz-Akten a 72, Zl. 645/1847.

sl) Efforts by Metternich, Hartig, and Kiibeck to introduce administrative reforms during the 1840s are discussed in Eduard Wertheimer Fürst Metternich und die Staatskonferenz in Oesterreichische Rundschau 10 (1907) 119—128; Walter Zentralverwaltung 2/1/2/2 158—160; and Rad van y Metternich’s Projects for Reform 122—128.

S2) Elisabeth Herzog Graf Franz Anton Kolowrat-Liebsteinsky. Seine politische Tätigkeit in Wien (1826—1848) (phil. Diss., Wien 1968) surveys Kolowrat’s career largely on the basic of secondary sources. See also Friedrich Walter Franz Anton Graf Kolowrat-Liebsteinsky in Neue österreichische Biographie ab 1815 15 (Wien 1963) 25—33; Carlile Aylmer Macartny The Habsburg Empire 1790—1918 (London 1968) 235—238; R a d v a n y Metternich’s Projects for Reform 54—60; and below p. 228 ff. Kolowrat’s close ties to Bohemia are discussed in Macartney Habsburg Empire 237—238; Christoph Thienen-Adler- f 1 y c h t Graf Leo Thun im Vormärz (Veröffentlichungen des österreichischen Ost- und Südosteuropa-Institutes 6, Graz—Wien—Köln 1967) 70 and 124; and Eduard Winter Frühliberalismus in der Donaumonarchie. Religiöse, nationale und wissenschaftliche Strömungen von 1790—1868 (Berlin 1968) 142—143 and 145—146.

3s) Wurzbach Lexikon 7 400.

34) Kolowrat’s brief ministry is discussed in Friedrich Walter Die österreichische Zentralverwaltung 3/1 (Veröffentlichungen der Kommission für neuere Geschichte Österreichs 49, Wien 1964) 6—14.