In 1764, due to Hungarian demands, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was formed, ruled by the Hapsburg dynasty. In the 18th century, the Austro-Hungarian empire was made up of 14 different states, in them there was a diversity of races, languages and religions, the emperor was chosen by the German princes and was a simple figurehead. Two transcendental events occurred in the reign of Maria Teresa, which were the seven-year war in which the territory of Silesia was lost, and the other transcendental event was the distribution of Poland.
Austria in the 18th century
There has never been an Austrian Nationality . In the territory of Austria there have always been numerous peoples of different race, language and even religion. In the 18th century, Austria was made up of the kingdoms of Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia and Slavonia; by the duchies of Burgundy, Styria, Carniola and Silesia; by the counties of Tyrol and Goertz; by the Italian dominions of Milan and Naples and by the Low Countries. They were then, 5 kingdoms, 4 dukedoms, 2 counties, 3 domains. In total:Fourteen different states. There was no unity or patriotic feeling among them.
The Emperor of Austria was a figurehead. His election depended on the caprice and influences of the seven German electors established by the Golden Bull. His government was weak and his commands were hardly obeyed. Despite having the title of Emperor of Germany, he ruled from the Austrian city of Vienna, nothing more than for the brilliance of his court and the beauty of its buildings and walks.
Origin of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Among all the previously mentioned states, the Kingdom of Hungary stood out, due to its Assembly or Diet, which was very jealous of its independence to solve its own problems and due to its ambitions of predominance over other peoples. This kingdom, from 1764, managed to be recognized a certain autonomy. That is why the Empire was called, henceforth, the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Government of Maria Teresa
In the history of the aforementioned Empire, during the 18th century, the government of the great Empress María Teresa, belonging to the Hapsburg dynasty, stands out.
This sovereign was cheerful, kind and simple. She was an enemy of the pomp and ostentation of the Court, she lived austerely in her home, with her husband Francisco de Lorena surrounded by her 16 children. Some of them later became notable figures:Leopold, who brilliantly ruled Austria-Hungary, and Marie Antoinette, who married Louis XVI, King of France, and perished on the guillotine.
Maria Teresa had a strong will, strong personality and clear intelligence. When she was not engaged in her favorite amusements (dances, plays, field parties), she was engaged in the organization of the army. She sometimes wore a military uniform.
The most notable facts of her reign were three:
- The War of the Austrian Succession
- The Seven Years War
- The divisions of Poland.
War of the Austrian Succession
Maria Teresa's father, Emperor Charles VI, had great difficulty leaving the crown to his daughter, because women were not allowed to exercise power. It was necessary to publish a law called Pragmatic Sanction (1713) , by which María Teresa was declared the royal heiress, since the monarch had no male offspring. With such provision the rights of other princes who aspired to the throne were harmed.
While Carlos VI lived, some sovereigns of Europe recognized the right of María Teresa and approved the Pragmatic; but as soon as the Emperor died, the ambitions were reborn and the government of the young Queen had to face a coalition of countries that ignited the war.
The fight was long and costly. At the end of it, Maria Theresa lost some territories and, among them, the productive Silesia, seized by the Prussians.
Seven Years War
This war was caused by the rivalry between Austria and Prussia. Both disputed their sovereignty over the Silesia region. Frederick II of Prussia expressed that said territory belonged to him by family rights and for having obtained it in the war. Maria Teresa replied that Silesia was "her province most dear to her" and that he would defend her to the point of sacrifice.
Another cause was also the rapid development of Prussia, as a military power, which caused the distrust of the nations of Central Europe.
Austria sought and obtained the alliance of France, Spain and Russia. Prussia got the support of England. The war was almost a European war. Austria was invaded by the armies of Frederick the Great; but Prussia was also invaded by a Russian army. For seven years (1757-1764) victories and defeats alternated on one side and the other, until the fighting countries, through special treaties, made concessions of territories and the conflict ended. Maria Teresa, much to her chagrin, was unable to recover Silesia.
Delivery from Poland
Another of the notable events of the reign of Maria Teresa was that of having taken part in the shameful divisions of Poland, carried out by three countries (Prussia, Russia and Austria), from 1772.
The Austrian Empress took part in the first two deals (1772 and 1773), despite the fact that she repelled them. She did so out of fear. She saw very closely the ambition of the neighboring powers to carry out such a shameful mutilation of territories, and she surely feared that Austria would be partitioned as well. The Polish nation, due to the aforementioned divisions, disappeared from the map (1795).