Maria Theresa was the Austrian archduchess and the Holy Roman Empress for the Habsburg Dynasty. She reigned from 1740-1780. After the death of her father Charles VI, she took over the throne and was accepted by the Austrian duchies, Netherlands, Bohemia, and Hungary. Maria Theresa built a solid basis for future generations of the family empire.
While some empires accepted Maria’s reign, she faced resistance from European powers who had previously agreed to her father’s Pragmatic Sanction. Frederick II also did not approve. His army invaded Silesia and claimed it for his own kingdom. Bavaria and France followed along with their own invasion of the Habsburg territories. This eight year conflict created the War of the Austrian Succession. Finally, …show more content…
His efforts were focused on centralization of the empire’s power. Maria Theresa allowed yearly resource negotiations with the empire’s states which resulted estates to pay the central government yearly. She reorganized government functions and combined them in a centralized Directory.
Although it was peaceful, Frederick II started to rage war again. He wanted to protect Prussia from the Austria’s new alliance with its former enemy, France. In 1756, Frederick II started the Seven Years War against Maria Theresa. During the war, the Hapsburg empire was not being proved to win the war. This consequence into the loss of an ally. In 1763, Maria Theresa and Frederick II agreed to a peace treaty that let Prussia keep Silesia as its own.
Maria had a long reign of 40 years and was a key figure in the power politics of Europe. She was a princess of engaging naturalness and was one of the most capable rulers of her house. Some historians have called her as the savior of the Habsburg dynasty. Her hard work on trying to turn the empire into a modern state solidified the Habsburg rule. Maria Theresa provided a strong foundation for the continuation of the Habsburg
While some empires accepted Maria’s reign, she faced resistance from European powers who had previously agreed to her father’s Pragmatic Sanction. Frederick II also did not approve. His army invaded Silesia and claimed it for his own kingdom. Bavaria and France followed along with their own invasion of the Habsburg territories. This eight year conflict created the War of the Austrian Succession. Finally, …show more content…
His efforts were focused on centralization of the empire’s power. Maria Theresa allowed yearly resource negotiations with the empire’s states which resulted estates to pay the central government yearly. She reorganized government functions and combined them in a centralized Directory.
Although it was peaceful, Frederick II started to rage war again. He wanted to protect Prussia from the Austria’s new alliance with its former enemy, France. In 1756, Frederick II started the Seven Years War against Maria Theresa. During the war, the Hapsburg empire was not being proved to win the war. This consequence into the loss of an ally. In 1763, Maria Theresa and Frederick II agreed to a peace treaty that let Prussia keep Silesia as its own.
Maria had a long reign of 40 years and was a key figure in the power politics of Europe. She was a princess of engaging naturalness and was one of the most capable rulers of her house. Some historians have called her as the savior of the Habsburg dynasty. Her hard work on trying to turn the empire into a modern state solidified the Habsburg rule. Maria Theresa provided a strong foundation for the continuation of the Habsburg