Maria The res a, 1717–1780

Daughter of Charles VII. and heir of his hereditary thrones by the Pragmatic Sanction. She succeeded him Oct. 21, 1740, giving her husband, Francis of Tuscany, equal share in the government. The monarchy was weak, exhausted, and surrounded with enemies; but the war of Austrian succe ion ended 1748 in her favor, though with the lo of Silesia, and her husband became Emperor of Germany. Her efforts for the prosperity of her people were interrupted by the Seven Years' War, 1756-63. On her husband's death, 1765, she gave military affairs into the hands of her son Joseph. She raised Austria from a low estate to power and prosperity.