MARIA THERESA

BACKGROUND

• Birth: May 13, 1717 in Vienna, Austria
• Death: November 29, 1780 in Vienna, Austria
• Parents: Father- Charles IV (Holy Roman Emperor)
• Mother- Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick
• Married: Duke Francis Stephen of Lorraine France (16 children- 5 sons, 11 daughters)

GOALS

• Focused on reforming laws as an enlightened monarch
• Issued robot patent: a reform that regulated serfs labor payments
• Outlawed witch burning and torture
• Replaced capital punishment with forced labor, which was later reintroduced
• Mandatory education

GROUPS OF THE DAY

• She controlled the selection of archbishops, bishops, and abbots.
• She was religious so the churches liked her.
• Common people liked her as well because she supported welfare.
• But she wished simple people would be left to simple faith.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

• Right when she came to power she immediately faced resistance.
• The resistance was from large European powers.
• Frederick II (King of Prussia) invaded Silesia (Austrian Province).
• Bavaria/France also invaded Austrian territories. Resulting in the 8 year war
• She formed a alliance with France. To be protected from Frederick II.

ABSOLUTE POWER

• "Enlightened Absolutist"
• -instituted liberal reforms:
• abolishing serfdom, universal schooling
• Legitimacy of government
• Excercise absolute power for good of nation

Opinion
It is an absolute monarch. Maria Theresa decreased the power of the nobility and limited the amount of labor that nobles could force peasants to do, which gave her more power. She increased social and architectural growth

CULTURE&LIFESTYLE

• Eudcated class participated in fancy events
• Vereine- local organizations
• Wore traditional costumes- (Trachten) everyday
• -full-skirted dimdis, loden coats
• Leading producer of natural magnesite