How did the Seven Years’ War create financial problems for Maria Theresa’s government?

The Seven Years’ War (1756–1763) created significant financial strain for the government of Maria Theresa by adding a massive amount of debt to the imperial treasury. Following the conclusion of the conflict, the necessity of servicing this substantial debt, while simultaneously funding ongoing defense requirements and governmental operations, became a primary focus for the empress and her advisers.1

This urgent need for financial recovery drove Maria Theresa to implement a series of reforms aimed at improving the economy and stabilizing the state's fiscal health. Key measures included:1

• Economic Development: The government recruited skilled artisans and workers from the Low Countries, Italy, and Germany, and encouraged agricultural settlement in depopulated regions.1
• Industrial Deregulation: Restrictions on sectors such as iron making and textiles were eased to stimulate growth.1
• Trade Policy: In 1775, the government established a customs union across most of the monarchy’s crown lands to facilitate internal commerce.1
• Social and Educational Reform: Recognizing that the tax burden fell heavily on the lower classes, the government sought to improve the condition of the peasantry and introduced compulsory education to foster a more productive work force.1