The term "Habsburg-Lothringen" refers to a prominent European dynasty that emerged from the union of the House of Habsburg and the House of Lorraine in the 18th century. This union was solidified when Francis I of Lorraine married Maria Theresa, the heir to the Habsburg lands, in 1736. The dynasty played a significant role in European politics, particularly in the Holy Roman Empire and later in the Austrian Empire. The Habsburg-Lothringen family produced many notable rulers, including Joseph II and Leopold II. Their reign was marked by efforts to modernize and centralize governance, as well as conflicts such as the Austro-Prussian War. The dynasty's influence waned after World War I, leading to the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918.