The King equivocates

Following behind-the-scenes maneuvering with the Croatian “Bán” Jellačić, under the influence of Sophie (mother of the young Franz Joseph), of arch-abbot Rauscher and Prince Windischgrätz (at that time governor of Prague), King Ferdinand revoked his March 17 warrant. Causing consternation in the Diet as well as in the cabinet, a second revolt was brewing in Pest, where the Hungarian government formally transferred the next day. Finance minister Kossuth, an increasingly powerful figure, counseled patience, which bore fruit when the Palatine returned from Vienna with the news the King had re-affirmed the competence of the cabinet and personally ratified it. On April 11 the King appeared in Pozsony and addressed the diet in Hungarian.

Diet Building (Pozsony)

Back to Milestones of 1848-49