The Austro-Hungarian Monarchy
(1867-1918)

The Austro-Hungarian Monarchy was a dualistic confederation  between Austria and Hungary. Its territory was (in 1910)  677443 km2. (now Hungary's Territory is 93030 km2,   Austria's territory is 84000 km2). Its population (also in  1910) was 51,4 million people (Hungary's population now is  10 million people, Austria's population is 8 million   people.) The two parliaments and the two governments were  independent of each other. Only the head of state, foreign  affairs, military affairs werecommon.  There was community  in currency and in customs. There were many nations in the  AHM: Czech, Polish, Italian, Slovene, Slovak, Ukrainian,  Romanian, Serbian, Croatian, etc... In the confederation the national oppression was very   significant, so there were many defectional activities. The  Hungarian national claims were unsatisfied too. The  Austrian capital was stronger , so it crushed down the  economical development of Hungary. In 1878 the AHM occupied Bosnia. In 1879 it made twin-union with Germany. There was a big opposite between the Austro-Hungarian   Monarchy and Russia, for the influence on theBalkans.    (This opposite started the l. World War), and there were  also inner opposites in the confederation. In 1918 the AHM lost the l. World War and the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy collapsed.


However when the Hungarians hear the word Austro-Hungarian  Monarchy, they immediately think about oppression. Just  let's play with the idea: what would be now if the  confederation have survived? If it have happened so, now  the big western countries wouldn't think of an undeveloped  eastern area, when they hear the name of Hungary. Maybe the  germanization would be stronger, but the Hungarians are   famous about their consciousness and traditions ( we have  been living in the middle of Europe not for nothing for  more than 1000 years!!) Although it's not right to say that  we would endure to be told what, how, when to do. I think the Austrians knew that when they wanted to unite with us.

Addrienn Kiss
Berze Nagy Janos Gimnazium
Gyongyos, Hungary