Maximilian III Joseph, Elector of Bavaria facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maximilian III Joseph |
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Portrait by Georg Desmarées
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| Elector of Bavaria | |
| Reign | 20 January 1745 – 30 December 1777 |
| Predecessor | Charles Albert |
| Successor | Charles Theodore |
| Born | 28 March 1727 Munich, Electorate of Bavaria, Holy Roman Empire |
| Died | 30 December 1777 (aged 50) Munich, Electorate of Bavaria, Holy Roman Empire |
| Burial | Theatine Church |
| Spouse |
Maria Anna Sophia of Saxony
(m. 1747) |
| House | Wittelsbach |
| Father | Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor |
| Mother | Maria Amalia of Austria |
| Religion | Roman Catholicism |
| Signature |  |
Maximilian III Joseph (born March 28, 1727 – died December 30, 1777) was a very important ruler in his time. People often called him "the much beloved." He was a Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire and the Duke of Bavaria. He ruled from 1745 until his death in 1777.
Maximilian was the last ruler from the Bavarian part of the House of Wittelsbach family. Because he died without any children, a short war called the War of the Bavarian Succession broke out. This war was about who would rule Bavaria next.
Contents
Early Life and Becoming Elector
Maximilian Joseph was born in Munich, a major city in Bavaria. His father was Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor, who was also the Holy Roman Emperor. His mother was Maria Amalia of Austria.
When his father died in January 1745, Maximilian was only 18 years old. He suddenly became the ruler of Bavaria. At this time, Bavaria was being invaded by armies from Austria. This was part of a bigger conflict called the War of the Austrian Succession.
Making Peace for Bavaria
Maximilian Joseph had a big decision to make. Some people, like his mother, wanted peace. Others wanted to keep fighting. After a big loss for Bavaria in the Battle of Pfaffenhofen, Maximilian decided to make peace.
He signed the Treaty of Füssen with Maria Theresa, the ruler of Austria. In this treaty, Maximilian agreed to support Maria Theresa's husband to become the next Holy Roman Emperor. This helped bring peace to Bavaria.
Maximilian's Rule and Important Changes
In 1747, Maximilian married his cousin, Maria Anna Sophia of Saxony. Sadly, they did not have any children.
During the Seven Years' War, Bavarian soldiers fought alongside the Austrian army. However, Maximilian Joseph tried his best to keep Bavaria out of major wars. He sent only a small group of soldiers to help Austria. He also worked with another ruler, Charles Theodore, to keep the Holy Roman Empire neutral during the conflict.
Maximilian Joseph was a forward-thinking ruler. He wanted to make Bavaria a better place. He worked to improve farming, grow industries, and find more minerals in the country. He also stopped the Jesuit order from censoring (controlling) what people could print.
Key Achievements and Reforms
- 1747: The Nymphenburg Porcelain Factory was started. This factory made beautiful porcelain items.
- 1756: A new set of laws called the Codex Maximilianeus bavaricus civilis was written.
- 1759: He founded the Bavarian Academy of Sciences in Munich. This was the city's first important place for learning and research.
- 1770: During a terrible famine (when there wasn't enough food), Maximilian sold some of his royal jewels. He used the money to buy grain and help feed his people.
- 1771: He made rules for all children to attend school.
Maximilian also made changes to the Roman Catholic Church in Bavaria. He issued a rule against too much fancy decoration in churches. He even banned the Oberammergau Passion Play, a famous religious play.
Maximilian's Death and Succession
In December 1777, Maximilian Joseph was riding in his carriage. As he passed a clock tower, the clock broke and struck 77 times. He joked that this was a sign his time was up. A few days later, he became very sick.
Doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong at first. But by Christmas, it was clear he had a very bad type of smallpox. He died on the last day of the month, December 30, 1777.
Since Maximilian III Joseph had no children, his death caused a problem. He was the last ruler from his specific family line. This led to the short War of the Bavarian Succession.
His distant cousin, Charles Theodore, became the next ruler of Bavaria. Charles Theodore was from a different branch of the same family.
Protecting Bavaria's Future
Maximilian's wife, Maria Anna Sophia of Saxony, and his sister, Duchess Maria Antonia of Bavaria, worked hard to protect Bavaria. They talked with the new ruler, Charles Theodore, and other powerful leaders like Frederick the Great of Prussia.
They wanted to make sure Bavaria stayed independent and wasn't taken over by Austria. The King of Prussia even had to threaten war to protect Bavaria. Charles Theodore, the new ruler, wasn't very interested in Bavaria. He often tried to trade it for other lands closer to his original home.
Cultural Legacy and Arts
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Maximilian III Joseph loved the arts and culture. He ordered the building of beautiful places and supported artists.
- Cuvilliés Theatre: In 1751, he asked François de Cuvilles to build the amazing Cuvilliés Theatre. This theater is a wonderful example of the rococo style.
- Nymphenburg Palace: He also ordered the creation of the "Stone Hall" at Nymphenburg Palace in 1755.
- Schleissheim Palace: He had some rooms in the New Schleissheim Palace decorated in the rococo style too.
Maximilian III Joseph was also skilled in music. He even composed some music himself. The famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart met Maximilian. However, because the country needed to save money, Mozart could not be offered a permanent job. In 1775, Mozart's opera La finta giardiniera was first performed in Munich.
In 1770, Maximilian III Joseph also started the first version of the Academy of Fine Arts, Munich. This school helped train artists.
Images for kids
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Maximilian III Joseph, 1761
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A silver coin from Bavaria, 1755
