Maria Theresa (continued)

Maria Theresa was the eldest daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI.  In 1711, Charles VI did not have a son to succeed his throne. 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. This document guaranteed the right of succession to his daughter, Maria Theresa. At this time, many of the great powers of Europe agreed to her succession of power, at a price.  Upon the death of Charles VI in 1740, however, challenges to the Habsburg lands led to the War of the Austrian Succession.

Maria Theresa was courageous, generous and kind. She respected the rights of others and expected others to respect her rights. In the later part of Maria Theresa 's rule, the empress focused more on human concerns, and less on financial and administrative improvements.

After a long reign of fourty years, Maria Theresa died on November 29, 1780. In the 650 years of Hapsburg reign in Austria, Maria Theresa was the only woman to rule in her own right. She was succeeded by her son, Joseph, who became Emperor Joseph II of the Holy Roman Empire. Maria Theresia was buried in the Kapuzinergruft in Vienna. Her husband Francis' tomb is also in the Kapuzinergruft.