MARIA-THERESA OF AUSTRIA, succeeded by a bold strategy to become Empress of Austria-Hungary. She maintained the long Habsburg dynasty threatened by strong internal and external rivalries. She had also to cope with increasing european anti-monarchical movements. Even if she was opposed to the “Enlightenment” philosophy, she reduced serfdom and developed the best educational establishments in Europe. Vienna became under her reign a major intellectual capital. She also managed to keep living together the wide variety of nations in the “Mittel Europa”, crucible of Western Civilization.
Copyright: Alice Labrèque & Jean Routier, Québec, 2018.