History of Hungary: 18-19th Centuries [2/15]

In the last installment of this series, we explored Hungary's early history, including the arrival of the Magyars, the establishment of the Kingdom of Hungary, and the country's struggles under Ottoman and Habsburg rule. In this installment, we will examine Hungary's history in the 18th and 19th centuries, a time of great change and upheaval.

history of hungary

The Age of Enlightenment

The 18th century was a time of great change in Europe, marked by the rise of the Age of Enlightenment. This intellectual movement emphasized reason, individualism, and progress, and had a profound impact on the political and cultural landscape of Hungary.

In Hungary, the Enlightenment led to the emergence of a new class of intellectuals who advocated for political and social reform. These thinkers sought to modernize Hungary's political and economic systems and to promote education and the arts.

The Revolt of 1848

Despite the efforts of Hungary's intellectuals, the country remained under the control of the Habsburgs throughout much of the 19th century. This led to growing resentment and calls for greater autonomy.

In 1848, a group of Hungarian nationalists led by Lajos Kossuth launched a revolt against the Habsburgs. The revolution quickly gained popular support, and Hungary declared itself an independent republic.

However, the revolution was short-lived. The Habsburgs, with the help of Russian troops, were able to crush the rebellion and reestablish their control over Hungary.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire

Despite the failure of the 1848 revolution, the nationalist movement in Hungary continued to grow throughout the 19th century. In 1867, the Habsburgs agreed to a compromise with Hungary that established the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Under the terms of the compromise, Hungary was granted greater autonomy and was allowed to establish its own parliament and government. The country became known as the Kingdom of Hungary and was ruled by the Habsburg emperor as the King of Hungary.

The End of the Empire

The early 20th century was a time of great turmoil in Europe, marked by the outbreak of World War I. Hungary, as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, was drawn into the conflict.

The war had a devastating impact on Hungary, both economically and politically. In 1918, the empire was dissolved, and Hungary declared itself an independent republic.

However, Hungary's newfound independence was short-lived. In 1919, a communist government led by Bela Kun took power. The government was unpopular and was quickly overthrown by a counterrevolutionary force led by Admiral Miklos Horthy.

18th and 19th Centuries for Hungary

The 18th and 19th centuries were a time of great change in Hungary's history. The rise of the Enlightenment led to the emergence of a new class of intellectuals and the nationalist movement, which eventually led to the establishment of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

However, Hungary's struggles continued into the 20th century, with the devastation of World War I, the collapse of the empire, and the tumultuous years that followed. In the next installment of this series, we will explore Hungary's history during World War II and its aftermath.