Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI ruled from 1711 until his death in 1740. He was the last male member of the Habsburg dynasty and is best known for his efforts to secure the succession of his daughter, Maria Theresa, through the Pragmatic Sanction of 1713. This legal decree aimed to ensure that the Habsburg lands could be inherited by a female heir. Charles VI faced numerous challenges during his reign, including wars and political rivalries. His reign was marked by the War of the Austrian Succession, which erupted after his death when other European powers contested Maria Theresa's claim to the throne.