History, World War I and the Republic

Hungarian political leaders supported the Austrian war effort largely because they feared that a Russian victory would lead to the defection of Hungary’s Slavic minorities and the dismemberment of the country. As the conflict continued, however, war losses and food shortages produced extreme dissatisfaction among the people. The death of Francis Joseph on November 21, 1916, and the succession of Emperor Charles I weakened the ties between Hungary and Austria. Internal unrest increased steadily, and on October 25, 1917, Count Mihaly Karolyi established a national council, which intensified the struggle for general suffrage, dissolution of the parliament, and the conclusion of peace with the Allies. The empire was officially dissolved on November 11, 1918, and five days later the national council proclaimed the Hungarian Democratic Republic, with Karolyi as its first president.

Social and political unrest continued, however, and in March 1919 Karolyi’s government was overthrown by the Communists under Bela Kun. The new government confiscated all industrial and commercial enterprises as communal property. Banks were expropriated and a number of newspapers were banned. Meanwhile, the Czechs had invaded Hungary from the north and the Romanians had invaded from the south. Unable to cope with foreign intervention and confronted by growing unrest among the peasantry, Bela Kun resigned on August 1, 1919, and fled into Austria. Three days later Budapest was occupied by the Romanians, who retained control for several months.