When Holy Roman Emperor Charles IV died in 1740¹, he didn’t leave any male heirs. His daughter, Maria Theresa, inherited the role and became the first Empress of the Empire². Her influence can be directly seen in Prague, which became one of the major imperial cities because of her.

This article focuses on what Maria Theresa was good for, and her continued influence on the city.

The Holy Roman Empire in 1740

By the time of Charles’ death, the Empire had been facing serious challenges which weakened its position in Europe. By the time Maria Theresa took over, it was in a precarious position:

• Various princes had fought for some independence which meant that the Empire was more decentralised than ever before.
• Financial problems plagued the Hapsburgs which in turn made it difficult to support and maintain its military³.
• Prussia had risen as an independent power. Frederick the Great was its ruler⁴; he had tried to take the Imperial title himself. His jealousy and rivalry were an immediate threat to the Empire.

Prussia besieged Prague and some of the cannon balls are still embedded in today’s architecture.

Many European powers asked themselves if a woman should be the one to take over the reins of power^{5 6}.

This is not to say everything was bad; the Empire and the Hapsburg family still had a few tricks up their sleeves:

• It still controlled valuable territory corresponding to modern Austria, Bohemia and Hungary. Combined, these provided huge natural resources and manpower for the army.
• The Empire had an effective administrative system honed over centuries. As part of this, Vienna was the major European cultural and political centre.
• The Hapsburg family had kept control of the imperial title for more than 3 centuries. This gave them considerable legitimacy and diplomatic experience.

Maria Theresa’s Impact on Prague

Despite initial rocky relations, Prague benefited from Maria Theresa’s reign. She modernised the city and improved life for its inhabitants in three key areas.

• Educational Revolution: Maria Theresa introduced groundbreaking educational reforms that transformed Prague society⁷. On August 22nd, 1777, she established compulsory schooling for all children aged six to twelve^{8 9 10 11}, creating the first public education system in the city’s history. Before this reform, education was available to wealthy families and religious institutions^{12 13}. Her new system required both boys and girls to attend school^{14 15 16}, with subjects taught in local languages rather than just Latin^{17 18}. Within ten years of the reform’s launch, seventy percent of children attended school¹⁹. This educational revolution created a more literate population in Prague and provided the foundation for future economic and cultural development.
• Architectural and Urban Development: The empress invested heavily in Prague’s infrastructure and buildings, creating the baroque character tourists admire today. She engaged architect Nicolo Pacassi^{20 21} to reconstruct Prague Castle²². Between 1755 and 1775²³, he gave it the unified appearance we see today. The project included building the Teresian wing²⁴ and an attempt to create a cohesive facade for the entire complex²⁵. Maria Theresa also completed major work on St Vitus Cathedral, including finishing the southern tower²⁶. Additionally, she strengthened the Vyšehrad fortress with new military positions²⁷. These architectural projects employed local craftsmen showcasing Prague’s importance within the empire.

• Economic and Administrative Modernisation: Maria Theresa centralised²⁸ and modernised Prague’s government²⁹, making it more efficient and fair. She replaced the old feudal system with professional bureaucrats who were chosen for their abilities rather than family connections. The empress introduced the silver thaler in 1741³⁰. This became a standard currency underpinning economic development for the next 200 years^{31 32}. She also established new taxation systems that provided steady income for government services³³ while reducing corruption. Prague became more prosperous, as evidenced by the city’s recovery from earlier wartime damage and debt³⁴.

What if … ?

It’s not easy to tell how Prague would be today if Maria Theresa hadn’t become Empress. It is fun to wonder what could have been.

The most probable alternative ruler would have been Frederick the Great of Prussia. We do know that Frederick

• Focused on military strength and territorial expansion.
• Prioritised building armies and fighting wars.
• Held strong anti-Catholic views.

If he had controlled Prague, it’s reasonable to conclude the city would have focused on military at the expense of culture and learning. The city would not have had the urban beautification projects and his anti-Catholic opinion would have suppressed or changed Prague’s traditions and artistic heritage. He represented a completely different style of leadership that would have dramatically altered Prague’s development.

Another possible alternative would have been Charles Albert of Bavaria. He did control Prague in 1741-1742^{35 36} and was even crowned King of Bohemia^{37 38 39}. Charles Albert lacked both the resources and administrative skills that Maria Theresa possessed. His brief rule over Prague accomplished little beyond extracting tribute from the city. Under his control, Prague would have stagnated, ending up as a provincial backwater.

Why Prague Should Remember Maria Theresa

Maria Theresa was far from perfect. She introduced controversial policies like the temporary expulsion of Jews from Prague in 1744^{40 41}. Without wanting to belittle these controversies, it’s clear that her overall influence was a positive one. Prague should remember her because:

• Her compulsory education system produced generations of literate citizens who could participate more fully in economic and cultural life.
• The architectural projects she commissioned, particularly the reconstruction of Prague Castle, gave the city much of its distinctive character that attracts millions of visitors today.
• Her administrative reforms replaced corrupt medieval systems with professional, merit-based government that served citizens more effectively.

She created the foundation of modern Prague through these reforms. Under her rule, Prague regained its importance and prosperity after decades of war and neglect. The empress’s policies created the conditions for Prague’s later cultural and economic flowering, establishing it as one of Central Europe’s great cities.

References

1. Keleher, E. (2023) Maria Theresa Succeeds to the Austrian Throne | Research Starters | EBSCO Research [online]. Available from: https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/maria-theresa-succeeds-austrian-throne (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
2. Vinsko, B. (1998) Maria Theresa, Archduchess of Austria [online]. Available from: https://departments.kings.edu/womens_history/mariatheres.html (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
3. Johnstone, C. (2017) Maria Theresa: the empress who left a mixed impression on the Czech lands [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/maria-theresa-empress-who-left-a-mixed-impression-czech-lands-8193664 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
4. Keleher, E. (2023) Maria Theresa Succeeds to the Austrian Throne | Research Starters | EBSCO Research [online]. Available from: https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/maria-theresa-succeeds-austrian-throne (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
5. Keleher, E. (2023) Maria Theresa Succeeds to the Austrian Throne | Research Starters | EBSCO Research [online]. Available from: https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/maria-theresa-succeeds-austrian-throne (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
6. Johnstone, C. (2017) Maria Theresa: the empress who left a mixed impression on the Czech lands [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/maria-theresa-empress-who-left-a-mixed-impression-czech-lands-8193664 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
7. Lazarová, D. (2017) Empress Maria Theresa: an enlightened ruler who recognized the value of education for all [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/empress-maria-theresa-enlightened-ruler-who-recognized-value-education-all-8191815 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
8. Lazarová, D. (2017) Empress Maria Theresa: an enlightened ruler who recognized the value of education for all [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/empress-maria-theresa-enlightened-ruler-who-recognized-value-education-all-8191815 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
9. Zuzana Vilikovská (2014) Maria Theresa’s edict introduced compulsory education for all in 1777 [online]. Available from: https://spectator.sme.sk/politics-and-society/c/maria-theresas-edict-introduced-compulsory-education-for-all-in-1777 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
10. Nancy Bazelon Goldstone (2021) In the shadow of the empress : the defiant lives of Maria Theresa, mother of Marie Antoinette, and her daughters. New York: Little, Brown And Company.[↩]
11. Agnew, H. L. (2004) The Czechs and the Lands of the Bohemian Crown. Studies of Nationalities.[↩]
12. Lazarová, D. (2017) Empress Maria Theresa: an enlightened ruler who recognized the value of education for all [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/empress-maria-theresa-enlightened-ruler-who-recognized-value-education-all-8191815 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
13. Nancy Bazelon Goldstone (2021) In the shadow of the empress : the defiant lives of Maria Theresa, mother of Marie Antoinette, and her daughters. New York: Little, Brown And Company.[↩]
14. Lazarová, D. (2017) Empress Maria Theresa: an enlightened ruler who recognized the value of education for all [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/empress-maria-theresa-enlightened-ruler-who-recognized-value-education-all-8191815 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
15. Zuzana Vilikovská (2014) Maria Theresa’s edict introduced compulsory education for all in 1777 [online]. Available from: https://spectator.sme.sk/politics-and-society/c/maria-theresas-edict-introduced-compulsory-education-for-all-in-1777 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
16. Nancy Bazelon Goldstone (2021) In the shadow of the empress : the defiant lives of Maria Theresa, mother of Marie Antoinette, and her daughters. New York: Little, Brown And Company.[↩]
17. Lazarová, D. (2017) Empress Maria Theresa: an enlightened ruler who recognized the value of education for all [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/empress-maria-theresa-enlightened-ruler-who-recognized-value-education-all-8191815 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
18. Nancy Bazelon Goldstone (2021) In the shadow of the empress : the defiant lives of Maria Theresa, mother of Marie Antoinette, and her daughters. New York: Little, Brown And Company.[↩]
19. Lazarová, D. (2017) Empress Maria Theresa: an enlightened ruler who recognized the value of education for all [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/empress-maria-theresa-enlightened-ruler-who-recognized-value-education-all-8191815 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
20. Velinger, J. (2017) The reconstruction of Prague Castle under Empress Maria Theresa [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/reconstruction-prague-castle-under-empress-maria-theresa-8192375 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
21. Went, A. (2014) Prague Castle: State Rooms — The Prague Vitruvius [online]. Available from: https://pragitecture.eu/prague-castle-state-rooms/ (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
22. Velinger, J. (2017) The reconstruction of Prague Castle under Empress Maria Theresa [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/reconstruction-prague-castle-under-empress-maria-theresa-8192375 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
23. Went, A. (2014) Prague Castle: State Rooms — The Prague Vitruvius [online]. Available from: https://pragitecture.eu/prague-castle-state-rooms/ (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
24. Johnstone, C. (2017) Maria Theresa: the empress who left a mixed impression on the Czech lands [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/maria-theresa-empress-who-left-a-mixed-impression-czech-lands-8193664 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
25. Velinger, J. (2017) The reconstruction of Prague Castle under Empress Maria Theresa [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/reconstruction-prague-castle-under-empress-maria-theresa-8192375 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
26. Velinger, J. (2017) The reconstruction of Prague Castle under Empress Maria Theresa [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/reconstruction-prague-castle-under-empress-maria-theresa-8192375 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
27. Johnstone, C. (2017) Maria Theresa: the empress who left a mixed impression on the Czech lands [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/maria-theresa-empress-who-left-a-mixed-impression-czech-lands-8193664 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
28. Agnew, H. L. (2004) The Czechs and the Lands of the Bohemian Crown. Studies of Nationalities.[↩]
29. Johnstone, C. (2017) Maria Theresa: the empress who left a mixed impression on the Czech lands [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/maria-theresa-empress-who-left-a-mixed-impression-czech-lands-8193664 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
30. Johnstone, C. (2017) Maria Theresa: the empress who left a mixed impression on the Czech lands [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/maria-theresa-empress-who-left-a-mixed-impression-czech-lands-8193664 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
31. Keleher, E. (2023) Maria Theresa Succeeds to the Austrian Throne | Research Starters | EBSCO Research [online]. Available from: https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/maria-theresa-succeeds-austrian-throne (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
32. Johnstone, C. (2017) Maria Theresa: the empress who left a mixed impression on the Czech lands [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/maria-theresa-empress-who-left-a-mixed-impression-czech-lands-8193664 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
33. Vinsko, B. (1998) Maria Theresa, Archduchess of Austria [online]. Available from: https://departments.kings.edu/womens_history/mariatheres.html (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
34. Johnstone, C. (2017) Maria Theresa: the empress who left a mixed impression on the Czech lands [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/maria-theresa-empress-who-left-a-mixed-impression-czech-lands-8193664 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
35. Keleher, E. (2023) Maria Theresa Succeeds to the Austrian Throne | Research Starters | EBSCO Research [online]. Available from: https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/maria-theresa-succeeds-austrian-throne (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
36. Johnstone, C. (2017) Maria Theresa: the empress who left a mixed impression on the Czech lands [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/maria-theresa-empress-who-left-a-mixed-impression-czech-lands-8193664 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
37. Agnew, H. L. (2004) The Czechs and the Lands of the Bohemian Crown. Studies of Nationalities.[↩]
38. Johnstone, C. (2017) Maria Theresa: the empress who left a mixed impression on the Czech lands [online]. Available from: https://english.radio.cz/maria-theresa-empress-who-left-a-mixed-impression-czech-lands-8193664 (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
39. Catholic Answers (2018) Maria Theresa [online]. Available from: https://www.catholic.com/encyclopedia/maria-theresa (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]
40. Agnew, H. L. (2004) The Czechs and the Lands of the Bohemian Crown. Studies of Nationalities.[↩]
41. Deutsch, G. (2021) PRAGUE – JewishEncyclopedia.com [online]. Available from: https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/8904-josephstadt (Accessed 27 September 2025).[↩]

Remember: links were correct at time of publication.