†

Hungary, having been ruled by the
Habsburgs since the 16th century, was often subjugated and treated much like
a colony. (There had beeen exceptions..) In an attempt to regain its
freedom as a self-governing country, in 1948, encouraged perhaps by the
revolts in Paris, Milano, Vienna, Hungarian lawmakers and broad sections of
the populace asked Ferdinand V (Habsburg monarch) to grant specific freedoms
for their country. At first acceeded, later rejected, the country rebelled
against absolutism, as the ruling Habsburg monarchy sought to deprive it of
democratic institutions and in effect annex the country into the Austrian
empire. Hungarians demanded instead preservation of their
institutions, freedom of expression and the levelling of classes: rescind
the tax exemption of the nobility and- in effect- create a universal
citizenship by abolishing serfdom. The throne had in the interim passed to a
very young Franz Joseph, reputedly strongly influenced by his mother Sophie.
When these demands were refused. the country took to arms. When Austria
refused to accede, Hungary declared itself a republic and elected Lajos
Kossuth (pronounced Lawyosh Koshoot) governor.

	†
“Battle flag from the Hungarian Liberation Fight of 1848. With bear-claws of the Hungarian tricolor (red-white-green) around the perimeter, it has the ‘Kossuth Coat of Arms’ in the center with clusters. Inscription : 85th Honvéd Battalion. The day of June 1 1949 Long live the freedom of the independent Hungarian Fatherland.

The ensuing war, which has become known as The Hungarian Liberation Fight of 1848, seemed to be successful
until the young Emperor asked for (and received) massive help from Russia,
where the Tsar feared the spread of democracy and a Polish revolt. In mid-
1949, overwhelmed, the Hungarian armies were crushed and repression
followed. Kossuth went into exile in Turkey with a number of his followers,
but the Western world took notice of the heroic struggle and Kossuth, his
cause, became the symbol of freedom especially in Britain and the USA. While
Austria and Russia demanded his extradition, the Sultan was persuaded by the
Western powers to refuse. Kossuth did not give up, but planned to force
Austria to respect Hungarian independence. He travelled in the West and tried to
exert pressure via other countries, e.g. France. Though neither the 1948
revolt, nor the planned Western alliances brought success, the cause
eventually produced results:

In 1867 – after negotiations and compromises – many of the 1848-49
objectives were realized, though within the Kingdom, which became a partner
in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy. Kossuth died in Italy and his remains
were later repatriated in an impressive mausoleum in Budapest (1905).

Click here for more historic information on the Hungarian Liberation Fight of 1848.

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