How Did Maria Theresa Of Austria Reform Central Government?

Maria Theresa saw the need to reform central government, as it was very disorganised and inefficient before 1740. She argued that the conduct of affairs needed to be more concentrated and go through fewer hands. This weakness was particularly highlighted by Austria's defeat by Prussia in the war of Austrian succession. She also stated that he government needed to be more centralised to return more power and authority to the empress.   

Maria's two main advisors, Haugwitz and Kaunitz, were largely responsible for the reform of central government. In 1749, the merging of administrations of Austria and Bohemia under a committee chaired by Haugwitz occurred. It was clearly modelled on the Prussian General Directory and it controlled all aspects of domestic policy. After the death of Haugwitz in 1760, he was replaced by Kaunitz, who had previously been in charge of Foreign Affairs since 1753. He revived the Council of State in 1760 to oversee the system of government which consisted of Kaunitz as Chancellor and six other senior nobles. The council advised the empress on legislation and administration and it was responsible for areas such as security and transport.