The Lengthy Reign Of Empress Maria Theresa

how long did maria theresa rule austria

Maria Theresa, Archduchess of Austria, was the only woman ruler in the 650-year history of the Habsburg dynasty. She was also one of the most successful Habsburg rulers, reigning as an absolute monarch for forty years over one of the largest empires in Europe. Maria Theresa was born in 1717 and began her rule in 1740, when her father, Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, died. She was the sovereign of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Transylvania, and many other territories. Her reign ended with her death in 1780.

Characteristics Values
Length of rule 40 years
Start of rule 1740
End of rule 1780

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Maria Theresa was the only woman ruler in the 650-year history of the Habsburg dynasty

Maria Theresa was born in 1717 and was the eldest daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI. In 1711, Charles VI found himself the sole remaining male Habsburg. An old European law, the Salic Law, prohibited a woman from inheriting her father's kingdom. Concerned that he may not father a son, Charles VI issued a decree in 1713, known as the Pragmatic Sanction, which paved the way for Maria Theresa's accession.

Maria Theresa was an absolute monarch and ruled over one of the largest empires in Europe. She was also Holy Roman Empress, and queen of Hungary and Bohemia. She bore sixteen children between 1738 and 1756.

When Maria Theresa came to the throne, her state appeared on the brink of dismemberment. However, she provided a strong foundation for the continuation of the Habsburg Dynasty into the modern era. She transformed her empire into a modern state, solidifying Habsburg rule.

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She was also Holy Roman Empress, Duchess of Lorraine, and Grand Duchess of Tuscany

Maria Theresa (1717-1780) was ruler of the Habsburg monarchy from 1740 until her death in 1780. She was also Holy Roman Empress, Duchess of Lorraine, and Grand Duchess of Tuscany by marriage.

Maria Theresa was the only woman to hold the position of ruler of the Habsburg monarchy, and she was also one of the most successful Habsburg rulers. She was the eldest daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, who issued a decree in 1713, known as the Pragmatic Sanction, to ensure that she could inherit the throne. This was because an old European law, the Salic Law, prohibited a woman from inheriting her father's kingdom.

Maria Theresa's reign began when her father died on 20 October 1740, and it lasted for 40 years. She was an absolute monarch and ruled over one of the largest empires in Europe. During her reign, she transformed her empire into a modern state, solidifying Habsburg rule.

Maria Theresa was also the queen of Hungary and Bohemia, and she was Archduchess of Austria. She had sixteen children between 1738 and 1756.

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Maria Theresa was the eldest daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI

Maria Theresa (1717-1780) was the eldest daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI. She was also Archduchess of Austria, Holy Roman Empress, and queen of Hungary and Bohemia.

Maria Theresa began her rule in 1740, following the death of her father, and she reigned for 40 years until her death in 1780. She was the only woman ruler in the 650-year history of the Habsburg dynasty. She was also one of the most successful Habsburg rulers, male or female, while bearing sixteen children between 1738 and 1756.

Maria Theresa 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. By marriage, she was Duchess of Lorraine, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, and Holy Roman Empress.

Charles VI paved the way for his daughter's accession with the Pragmatic Sanction of 1713, which he issued due to an old European law, the Salic Law, which prohibited a woman from inheriting her father's kingdom. Charles VI spent his entire reign securing his daughter's right to the throne through international diplomacy.

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She was 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 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. She was also Duchess of Lorraine, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, and Holy Roman Empress. She was the only woman to hold the position suo jure (in her own right). Her reign began in 1740, when her father, Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, died. He had issued a decree in 1713, known as the Pragmatic Sanction, to ensure that she would succeed him, as Salic Law prohibited a woman from inheriting her father's kingdom. Maria Theresa's reign lasted 40 years, until her death in 1780. She was one of the most successful Habsburg rulers, and some historians have termed her the saviour of the Habsburg Dynasty.

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She was one of the most successful Habsburg rulers, despite facing a situation familiar to women today: trying to balance her public and private life

Maria Theresa (1717-1780) was ruler of the Habsburg monarchy from 1740 until her death in 1780. She was the only woman to hold the position suo jure (in her own right) in the 650-year history of the Habsburg dynasty. She was also one of the most successful Habsburg rulers, despite facing a situation familiar to women today: trying to balance her public and private life.

Maria Theresa was the eldest daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI. In 1711, Charles VI found himself the sole remaining male Habsburg. An old European law, the Salic Law, prohibited a woman from inheriting her father's kingdom. Concerned that he may not father a son, Charles VI issued a decree in 1713, known as the Pragmatic Sanction, to pave the way for his daughter's accession.

Maria Theresa's father spent his entire reign securing her accession through international diplomacy. When she ascended the throne, her state appeared on the brink of dismemberment. However, Maria Theresa provided a strong foundation for the continuation of the Habsburg Dynasty into the modern era. She was an absolute monarch who ruled over one of the largest empires in Europe for forty years.

Maria Theresa bore sixteen children between 1738 and 1756. By marriage, she was Duchess of Lorraine, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, and Holy Roman Empress. She was also queen of Hungary and Bohemia, and sovereign of Croatia, Transylvania, Slavonia, Mantua, Milan, Moravia, Galicia and Lodomeria, Dalmatia, the Austrian Netherlands, Carinthia, Carniola, Gorizia and Gradisca, Lusatia, Styria and Parma.

Frequently asked questions

Maria Theresa ruled Austria for 40 years, from 1740 until her death in 1780.

Maria Theresa became ruler of Austria because her father, Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, issued a decree in 1713, known as the Pragmatic Sanction, which allowed her to inherit the kingdom.

Maria Theresa was also archduchess of Austria, Holy Roman Empress, and queen of Hungary and Bohemia. By marriage, she was Duchess of Lorraine and Grand Duchess of Tuscany.

Maria Theresa is considered one of the most successful Habsburg rulers. She transformed her empire into a modern state, solidifying Habsburg rule and providing a strong foundation for the dynasty's continuation into the modern era.

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