The Aftermath of World War 1 is.. complicated to say the least,
Europe was facing the aftermath of the dissolution of 4 empires,
with power vacuums, revolutions, and counter revolutions cropping up all over.
Today, we will be looking at the aftermath of a empire that was long in decline. Hungary would be
independent for the first time in 400 years, yet its independence wouldn't be a peaceful matter.
The First Hungarian Republic is born, but it's future, would be settled in bloodshed.
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The duel monarchy of Austria-Hungary had existed since the 1860's,
though Hungary would be under personal union with Austria dating back to 1526. The Union between
the two would end after the conclusion of World War 1, though shortly before the end of the war,
multiple nations would declare their independence from Hungary. October the
28th of 1918 would see the Czech national council in Prague declared independence,
a day later, the Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia would issue a similar declaration in Zagreb, and so on.
In Vienna, workers and former soldiers were plotting revolution, while in Hungary,
demonstrations in Budapest developed into the Aster Revolution. Not me though, don't worry...
Ignore that photo. The Revolution pitted the newly formed Hungarian National Council,
led by Mih ly K rolyi against the Conservative government of S ndor Wekerle. The council had
been formed on October the 25th from Hungaries three main left wing political parties,
ones that wanted a separation from Vienna. The council proclaimed themselves as the only true
representatives of Hungary, demanding that Hungary was to achieve independence, establish total male
and female suffrage, as well as obviously end the war. Public support quickly shifted after five
protesters were killed and another 60 wounded, with thoughts of former soldiers joining the HNC.
October 31st would see the National Council take official control over Budapest,
with Wekerle fleeing, and the second in line, former Prime Minister Istv n Tisza being killed.
Karolyi would install himself prime minister, being officially recognized
by Emperor Charles on November the 13th. Karolyi's first act as prime minster would
be to declare Hungarian independence from the monarch with the Hungarian First Republic,
also known as the People's Republic, proclaimed on November the 16th. It was hoped by members of
Karolyi's cabinet that the separation of themselves from Austria and the Hapsburg
monarch, as well as Karolyi's close ties to the French, would be enough for the nation to
come out of WW1 was minimal territorial loses, however, that was not the case.
Negotiations between the new Hungarian government and the Entente utterly failed in their desired
goals, with the Entente considering Hungary a partner in the defeated Dual Monarchy,
and each would demand land concessions. In a last ditch effort to win over the US,
Karolyi would give in to president Woodrow Wilsons 14 point plan,
which included a dis-arment of the 1.4 million strong Hungarian army meaning the new nation had
virtually no organized force to defend itself and other nations would use this to their advantage.
The Hungarians would offer referendums to the disputed territory, but none of the nations
accepted the terms, instead feeling they'd be able to achieve greater results with military action.
The newly formed Czechoslovakia would invade Hungary on November the 5th, The Serbs with
French backing on the 8th, and Romanian troops would cross over into Transylvania on the 13th.
All to virtually zero resistance, mass captures of troops and diplomatic reprieve did not seem
forthcoming. It wouldn't be until March the 2nd of 1919 that the French gave Karolyi a note detailing
the final territorial lines of his nation, and it was utterly unacceptable to Hungary.
Yet, there was little that he could do. He knew accepting the French note would endanger the
country's territorial integrity more so then it already was, but was in no position to reject it.
As his popularity plummeted with the people, and Prime Minister D nes Berinkey resigning.
Karolyi was running out of options. He informed the cabinet that only the Social Democract Party
would be able to form a new government, but unbeknownst to him, the Social Democrats had
merged with the Hungarian Communist Party, led by B la Kun. The Communists had stated that Russia
would pledge her support for the Hungarians in their effort to be restored to pre-war borders.
With this pledge hanging high over many, the Communists successfully launched a coup
on March the 21st of 1919, installing Bela Kun as leader,
who quickly set about establishing the Hungarian Red Army to fight against the invaders. Yet,
while they would achieve some successes, the Romanians continued to march onwards,
capturing Budapest itself on August the 6th, thus ending the short lived Soviet Republic.
Now, afterwards, the Hungarian First Republic would be re-established under Istv n Friedrich,
a counter revolutionary that was aided by the Romanian Army,
Friedrich would be quick to officially abolish this state, declaring in its space,
a new Hungarian Republic. While it was hoped that this new, counter-revolutionary government would
be able to hold on. It itself would soon face the same upheavil that had brought them into power.
If you would like to learn a little bit more about the Hungarian Soviet Republic click the video
here, make sure to subscribe and like the video, costs you nothing, and I wish you all the best.