The Pragmatic Sanction

The Pragmatic Sanction was a royal decree issued by Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI in 1713 to ensure that his daughter, Maria Theresa, could succeed him as ruler of the Habsburg Empire. At the time, different parts of the empire had their own laws about inheritance, often favoring male heirs. The sanction declared that the empire's various territories would recognize Maria Theresa as the sovereign, despite traditional rules favoring males. This decree aimed to maintain stability and unity within the empire, but it was challenged by other European powers, leading to conflicts like the War of the Austrian Succession.