What are some other interesting facts about Maria Theresa?
From the day she was born, Maria Theresa was one of the most important people in 18th-century Europe. Although she could not reign as Holy Roman empress in her own right, she was groomed from an early age to preserve Habsburg territory and influence. When she was 18, she married Francis Stephen of Lorraine.
What important things did Maria Theresa do?
Maria Theresa strengthened the army by doubling the number of troops from her father’s reign, reorganized the tax structure to insure a predictable annual income to support the costs of the government and army, and centralized an office to assist in the collection of the taxes.
What was Maria Theresa impact on society?
Maria Theresa invested in reforms that advanced what today would be defined as public health. Her initiatives included the study of infant mortality, countering wasteful and unhygienic burial customs, and inoculation of children. Wishing to improve Austria’s bureaucracy, Maria Theresa reformed education in 1775.
What was Maria Theresa’s legacy?
While not as learned as her sons, who assisted her in ruling the Habsburg Empire and would later take their turns as emperor, Maria Theresa was widely respected by her subjects. She instigated several economic and educational reforms, promoted agricultural development, and reorganized the military.
What were Maria Theresa enlightened accomplishments?
Maria Theresa implemented significant reforms to strengthen Austria’s military and bureaucratic efficiency. She improved the economy of the state, introduced a national education system, and contributed to important reforms in medicine.
How many babies did Maria Theresa have?
sixteen children
The fact that Maria Theresa gave birth to sixteen children is a well-known part of her life story. Of her eleven daughters and five sons ten survived into adulthood. Maria Theresa’s first child, a daughter named Maria Elisabeth (1737–1740), died while still a young child.
Did Maria Theresa marry her dad?
Charles VI had been encouraged by his trusted adviser, Prince Eugene of Savoy, to marry Maria Theresa off to a powerful prince. Instead, Charles VI allowed his daughter to marry for love. In 1736 Maria Theresa and her beloved Duke Francis Stephen of Lorraine, France, were wed.
Why was Maria Theresa important to the Enlightenment?
Though opposed to religious toleration and all efforts to reform the Habsburg Empire from the grassroots, Maria Theresa carried out lasting reforms, establishing elementary schools, breaking the Jesuit monopoly on education, and removing universities from Church control.
How many of Maria Theresa’s children survived to adulthood?
ten