Maria Theresa of Austria is often described as an absolute monarch due to her centralized administrative reforms, her control over the nobility, and her role in maintaining her family’s dynastic power.
Firstly, after her ascension to the throne in 1740, she faced significant challenges, including the War of Austrian Succession. To strengthen her rule, she implemented various reforms that solidified her power and authority. Maria Theresa reorganized the Austrian bureaucracy, streamlined tax collections, and improved the efficiency of the military. These efforts were crucial in establishing her control over her vast empire.
Moreover, Maria Theresa worked hard to diminish the power of the nobility. By imposing taxes on the landowning classes and demanding loyalty, she reduced their ability to challenge her authority. She also reformed the legal system, which helped to limit the nobles’ influence and strengthen her own centralized government.
Additionally, her ability to navigate the complex web of European politics and her skillful marriage alliances further reinforced her position as an absolute monarch. Through strategic marriages, she ensured the continuation of the Habsburg lineage and mitigated threats from rival powers.
Overall, Maria Theresa’s legacy as an absolute monarch is defined by her effective governance, her efforts to consolidate power, and her unwavering determination to maintain control during a tumultuous period in European history.