Hungary

Abstract

On October 31, 1918, a revolution broke out in Hungary with the object of establishing a Republic and making the country independent of Austria. On November 13 King Charles issued a letter of abdication, and on November 16, 1918, Hungary was proclaimed an independent Republic (Hungarian People’s Republic), of which Count Michael Karolyi became Provisional President. The two Houses of the Legislature were abolished, and their place taken by a Provisional National Assembly. The Karolyi régime continued until March 22, 1919, when its place was taken by a Soviet Government, which proclaimed the dictatorship of the proletariat. An opposition Government was, however, soon set up at Arad and Szeged, which with the assistance of the Rumanian army swept away the Soviet Government, and on August 7, 1919, a National Government was again in the Capital. Elections were held on the basis of universal suffrage in January and February 1920, and as a result a bloc composed of parties of the Right was returned to power. The new Parliament considered the period of the revolutions of 1918 and 1919 as de jure a blank space of time, and resolved that the old monarchical constitution should be continued. Hungary was thus considered a monarchy with a vacant throne, the functions of the monarch being exercised by a Regent. It has been decided that the dynastic question shall be solved at such time as the people are freed from external pressure.