Why did the death of Charles VI lead to a conflict over Maria Theresa’s succession?

The conflict over Maria Theresa’s succession arose because, despite the Pragmatic Sanction—a decree issued by Charles VI to ensure his daughter could inherit the undivided Habsburg lands—several European powers contested her right to rule immediately upon his death in 1740.12

Although Charles VI had spent years securing international recognition for the document, many nations had only agreed to it as an act of convenience, as they coveted parts of the Habsburg domains. When Charles died, these underlying ambitions surfaced:12

• Territorial Ambition: Frederick the Great of Prussia invaded and seized the prosperous province of Silesia, challenging the integrity of the inheritance.132
• Imperial Claims: Charles Albert of Bavaria, along with other claimants, sought to challenge Maria Theresa’s succession and secure the imperial crown for himself.13
• Geopolitical Rivalry: France supported these claims as part of a broader effort to weaken or destroy Austria, its long-standing rival.3

These challenges triggered the War of the Austrian Succession, as various powers sought to exploit the perceived vulnerability of the Habsburg state under a female ruler.32