ABSOLUTISM IN AUSTRIA
Nikki Kuntz, Jordan Pocquat, Caitlin Vielstich, Julie Youpa, and Christianna Pepingco
AUSTRIA
 The family dynasty in control of Austria was the Hapsburg Dynasty.
 When her only brother died, Maria Theresa became the heir to the
throne of Austria and Hungary, because the Pragmatic Sanction of
1713 made it possible for a daughter to inherit the throne if there were no
sons.
 Maria Theresa was the archduchess of Austria and Holy Roman
Empress of the Habsburg Dynasty from 1740 to 1780.
MARIA THERESA
 born May 13, 1717, in Vienna, Austria.
 considered an "Enlightened Absolutist," a ruler who, like her rival
Frederick the Great of Prussia and Catherine the Great of Russia,
instituted liberal reforms such as abolishing serfdom and instituting
universal schooling, but always from above as an expression of the
will of the ruler rather than that of the people
MARIA THERESA
HOW SHE CAME TO POWER
 took the throne at the age of 23 (1740)
 became the first Hapsburg ruler. (Austrian Empire consisted of
Austria, Bohemia, and Hungary)
 After the death of Charles VI (Maria Theresa's Father) in 1740,
challenges to the Hapsburg lands led to the War of the Austrian
Succession.
HOW SHE CAME TO POWER
 The War of Austrian Succession began under the pretext that Maria
Theresa was ineligible to succeed to the Hapsburg thrones of her father,
because Salic Law prevented royal inheritance by a woman.
 Since Charles VI had believed that his daughter would surrender
power to her husband (Francis Stephen of Lorraine) he did not take the
time to teach her the workings of the government.
 Theresa knew she had to rely on her own judgment and strength of
character.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
 Led financial and economic reforms with assistance from her
advisors
 Promoted commerce and trade
 Reformed Austria’s education system
 Overall strengthened Austria’s international standing
SIGNIFICANT FAILURES/
SHORTCOMINGS
 Maria Theresa could never defeat Frederick II.
 Only retain a small portion of Silesia due to Seven Years War
 Could not expand the Austrian Empire significantly throughout
her reign
CHARACTERISTICS
Centralized the empire’s power
• Count Frederick William Haugwitz
• United Bohemia and Austria
• Took power away from provincial states
Created an efficient bureaucracy
CHARACTERISTICS
(CONINUED )
Imposed a more comprehensive and efficient system
of tax collection
Preserved the monarchy during the War of the
Austrian Succession
Control of armed forces
• Took military man-power from peasants and serfs