Short history of Hungary

Our ancestors’ arrival in the Carpathian-Basin Our ancestors started off from theUral hill.Our country of origin lay between the Volga and Kama rivers. They had been wandering a lot. During thei rwanderings they met and lived together with many ethnic groups in Levedia and Etelköz. Passing through the Carpathians they entered our current mainland from three directions. The settlers were led by Árpád (the chief tribe leader) The settlers got themselves organized in seven tribes, each having their tribe-leader.

The foundation of the state Saint Steven (997-1038) was the founder of the state. He was crowned in 1000 A.D. He converted to Christianity and organized the foundations of the state. Our national holiday related to his name, is celebrated on August 20. The anexed picture illustrates the then-state under the rule of King Steven. Beneath you can see the coronation symbols and the coronation ceremony. The foundation of the state

Famous rulers of our country Árpád’s descendants who ruled the country are called rulers or Kings of the Árpád dinasty (897-1301) – the age of the Árpáds’. Their statues and those of other statemen can be found on the Hero’s Square in Budapest.

Military expeditions in the Middle-Age In the 13th century the Tatars plundered the country (the Mongol invasion of Hungary in (1241 - 42) First picture Military expeditions in the Middle-Age Between the 14-16th centuries the Ottoman/Turk Empire endangered Hungary. Hungary lost her independence for centuries at Mohács in 1526. In 1541 Hungary was broken into three units for 150 years. Princedom of Transylvania (green) Hungarian Monarchy (blue) Parts of Hungary under Turkish Rule (yellow)

With the help of the Habsburgs the Turks were withdrawn in 1699 In 1711. Ferenc Rákóczi II. (the second) started his fight for freedom against the Habsburgs (right-upper corner) Out of the European revolutions the Hungarian one was both the longest and largest in size. Members of the first independent government of Hungary (right lower picture In between: The two greatest politicians of the age: Steven Széchenyi and Louis Kossuth In 1849 the revolution was supressed bloodily. Wars of Independence

The Austro – Hungarian Monarchy 1867 In 1867 the Hungarian politicians and the Austrian Emperor were trying to find a mutual solution Thus, they came to a compromise in 1867. Hungary became part of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy (1.picture) Hungary is in pink in picture 2. Our Monarch Emperor Ferenc József (3.picture) The Hungarian Prime Minister: Earl Gyula Andrássy ( (4 pict.) This situation lasted till the very end of the First World War.

The First World War and its consequences – the Trianon Treaty In 1918 the First World War was over. With Austria-Hungary’s defeat, the Habsburg Empire fell apart. Admiral Nicholas Horthy’s regency restores to power the pre-war ruling classes. This regime signed the humiliating Trianon Peace Treaty on 4th June,1920. The loss of 71 % of Hungary’s teritory and 60%of her population included over 3 million ethnic (almost one-third of the nation),who were incorporated into Czehoslovakia,Romania and Yugoslavia.

World War II., and the Hungarian revolution for independence of 1956 On May 09,1945, the Second World War came to an end in Europe. From 1945 to 1956 the soviet political influence and threat had been on the increase. On Oct.23,1956 with the leadership of Imre Nagy the independent Hungarian government came into being. A harsh fight began for Hungary’s independence.

The Kadar Regime We were members of the Warsaw Treaty,that is the socialist counterpart of NATO Members of the KGST,that is the market’s economy Hungary has gained the title of being the happiest hut in the East-Europe President of Hungary János Kádár from Nov 4, 1956 to May 22, 1988 1956-1960 the period of retorsion 1960’s – the period of consolidation 1980’s – the period of changes 1989 – the change of communist regime

From 1989 to our days The Declaration of the Hungarian Republic on 23 October,1989. New government led by Joseph Antall. Elections in every fourth year President of the Republic for 10 years Árpád Göncz After rejecting the soviet orientation, an approach toward the west followed 1999 - We entered the NATO 2004 – We entered the EU EU Parliament: we have 24 representatives there (out of the 785 members) Present-day president: László Sólyom Present-day prime minister: Ferenc Gyurcsány