The Rise Of Maria Theresa: Power And Austria

Maria Theresa of Austria (1717-1780) was the only woman to hold the position of ruler of the Habsburg monarchy, which she did from 1740 until her death in 1780. She was the sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Transylvania, and many other territories. She came to power when her father, Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, died in 1740, having paved the way for her accession with the Pragmatic Sanction of 1713. Maria Theresa's reign was marked by her break from traditional power, defining herself as the 'benevolent mother of her people' and choosing a policy of closeness to them.

Maria Theresa's father, Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor, paved the way for her accession with the Pragmatic Sanction of 1713

Initially, many Northern European monarchs agreed to the Pragmatic Sanction when it was issued. However, one notable exception was Frederick the Great of Prussia, who did not sign. Soon after Maria Theresa ascended the throne upon her father's death in 1740, Frederick began the War of Austrian Succession, challenging her inheritance of the Habsburg lands.

Maria Theresa started her 40-year reign as ruler of the Habsburg monarchy when she was just 23 years old. Although the official ruler was her husband, Francis I, she effectively governed single-handedly. When Francis became the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 1745, Maria Theresa acquired the title of empress. She was the only female sovereign in the history of the House of Habsburg and the only woman to hold the position suo jure (in her own right).

Maria Theresa was the only woman to hold the position of ruler of the Habsburg monarchy in her own right

Maria Theresa (1717-1780) was the only woman to hold the position of ruler of the Habsburg monarchy in her own right. She was the sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Transylvania, Slavonia, Mantua, Milan, Moravia, Galicia and Lodomeria, Dalmatia, the Austrian Netherlands, Carinthia, Carniola, Gorizia and Gradisca, Lusatia, Styria and Parma.

Maria Theresa was the eldest daughter of Charles VI, Holy Roman Emperor, and Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. In 1713, Charles issued the Pragmatic Sanction, which guaranteed his daughter the right to succeed to the Austrian throne and inherit his lands upon his death.

Maria Theresa ascended to the Austrian throne in 1740, when she was 23 years old. Her father's death sparked the War of Austrian Succession, which challenged her inheritance of the Habsburg lands. Although the official ruler was her husband, Francis I, Maria Theresa governed the Habsburg monarchy single-handedly. When Francis became the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 1745, Maria Theresa acquired the title of empress.

Maria Theresa chose a policy of closeness to the people, which represented a break from traditional power. She turned the age-old weakness of women into her personal brand and a strength. She appealed to the chivalry of the day and sought to be loved. She strolled freely around Vienna accompanied by her children and made it known to the court that she would receive anyone who sought an audience.

Maria Theresa was the sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Transylvania, and many other territories

Maria Theresa was only 23 when she ascended to the throne. Although the official ruler was her husband, Francis I, she governed the Habsburg monarchy single-handedly. When Francis became emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 1745, Maria Theresa acquired the title of empress.

Upon her accession, the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-48) erupted, challenging her inheritance of the Habsburg lands. This was followed by the Seven Years' War (1756-63) and the War of the Bavarian Succession (1778-79), which further checked Austrian power.

Maria Theresa chose a policy of closeness to the people, which represented a break from traditional power. She turned the age-old weakness of women into her personal brand and a strength. She appealed to the chivalry of the day and sought to be loved. She strolled freely around Vienna accompanied by her children and made it known to the court that she would receive anyone who sought an audience.

Maria Theresa was the wife and empress of the Holy Roman Emperor Francis I

In 1713, Charles issued the Pragmatic Sanction, which guaranteed Maria Theresa the right to succeed to the Austrian throne and inherit his lands upon his death. When Charles died in 1740, Maria Theresa ascended to the Austrian throne and became ruler of the Habsburg monarchy. Although her husband, Francis I, was the official ruler, Maria Theresa governed the monarchy single-handedly. When Francis became emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 1745, Maria Theresa acquired the title of empress.

Maria Theresa's reign was marked by several wars, including the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748), which challenged her inheritance of the Habsburg lands. She was the only female sovereign in the history of the House of Habsburg and played a pivotal role during the era of enlightened absolutism, which saw European rulers increasingly embrace rationalism and support human rights.

To consolidate her power, Maria Theresa defined herself as the "benevolent mother of her people", adopting a policy of closeness to her subjects that broke with traditional power structures. She also appealed to the chivalry of the day by strolling freely around Vienna with her children and making it known that she would receive anyone who sought an audience.

Maria Theresa was the only female sovereign in the history of the House of Habsburg

Maria Theresa ascended to the Austrian throne in 1740, when she was just 23 years old. Although her husband, Francis I, was the official ruler, she governed the Habsburg monarchy alone. When Francis became emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 1745, Maria Theresa became empress.

Maria Theresa's reign was marked by several wars, including the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-48), which challenged her inheritance of the Habsburg lands. She responded to this challenge by appealing to the Hungarians for assistance, playing on the chivalry of the day and seeking to be loved by her people. She also broke with tradition by strolling freely around Vienna with her children and making herself accessible to anyone who sought an audience.

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