How did Maria Theresa rule the Habsburg monarchy?

Maria Theresa ruled the Habsburg monarchy from 1740 to 1780 as its only female sovereign in her own right. Despite inheriting a weakened and impoverished state, she successfully defended most of her territories during the War of the Austrian Succession and enacted sweeping institutional, financial, and educational reforms. Although official co-rulers shared her title, she maintained autocratic control with the aid of key advisers.

What we know

• Maria Theresa ruled the Habsburg monarchy from 1740 until her death in 1780, holding titles as sovereign of multiple territories including Austria, Hungary, and Bohemia. [1, 2]
• Her father, Charles VI, secured her accession through the Pragmatic Sanction of 1713, though neighboring powers repudiated it upon his death, leading Frederick the Great to invade Silesia. [1, 2]
• She promulgated extensive institutional, financial, medical, and educational reforms with the assistance of advisers like Wenzel Anton of Kaunitz-Rietberg and Gerard van Swieten. [1, 2]
• Despite official co-rulership expectations involving her husband Emperor Francis I and eldest son Emperor Joseph II, she ruled as an autocratic sovereign. [1, 2]

Where to go next

• what caused itWho was Charles VI of Austria?
• what followedWhat was the War of the Austrian Succession?
• how it workedHow did Wenzel Anton of Kaunitz-Rietberg assist her reign?
• the bigger pictureWhat territories comprised the Habsburg monarchy?
• compared withHow does her reign compare to Frederick the Great's?
• an unexpected connectionWhy did the Pragmatic Sanction fail to prevent war?Although Charles VI spent his entire reign securing international signatures for the Pragmatic Sanction, European powers swiftly repudiated it upon his death.

Sources

• [1]Maria Theresa of Austria (Wikidata Q131706) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Maria Theresa · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Maria Antonia of Austria · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Archduchess Maria Theresa of Austria (1762–1770) · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor · CC BY-SA 4.0