 Although Maria Theresa was initially reluctant to meddle in such affairs, government interventions were made possible by the perceived need for economic power and the emergence of a functioning bureaucracy, and interventions were also further eased by widespread peasant unrest induced by the effects of war and famine in 1770-1772 and noble abuse of manorial rights.In 1771–1778, a series of "Robot Patents" were issued by Maria Theresa, and these patents regulated and restricted peasant labour only in the German and Bohemian parts of the realm.The goal was to ensure that peasants not only could support themselves and their family members, but also help cover the national expenditure in peace or war.