Mihály Károlyi
Mihály Károlyi (Károlyi Mihály) was the first prime minister and president of the First Hungarian Republic.
Contents
History
Károlyi was born into Hungarian nobility.
He began his political career with several unsuccessful runs in House of Representatives elections, despite his right to take a seat in the House of Magnates as a count. He finally was elected to parliament in 1910 as a member of the Party of Independence.
He was traveling in the United States, France, and Spain when World War 1 began. He eventually returned to Hungary and was called to serve in the war. By 1916 he became a vocal opponent of the war in parliament. He publicly called for scrapping relations with both Germany and Austria, and met with foreign diplomats. He founded the United Party of Independence and 1848; generally known as the Károlyi Party.
Following the end of the world war, the empire entered a rapid decline. The separate nations scrambled for territory and independence. Recognition of Masaryk as Czechoslovak head of state accelerated the legitimacy crisis. Charles IV attempted to compromise by establishing National Councils and pushing the Völkermanifest, effectively a federating of the empire, but this further accelerated the crisis. In October 1918, the Hungarian government entered a rapid collapse. Wekerle annulled the Compromise of 1867 and resigned. Charles IV hesitated to appoint a new prime minister, leaving Hungary without a government for two weeks.
Policies
Károlyi led the Hungarian National Council as leader of his party; the Radical Party and SDP also participated.
Amid riots in late October, Charles IV named Hadik as prime minister. Soldiers mutinied and replaced their caps with asters. Within a day, Hadik resigned and Charles IV was forced to recognize Károlyi instead. Tisza was assassinated the same day. This coup would become known as the Aster Revolution.
Károlyi declared the independent Hungarian People's Republic in November and began to serve as acting president.
He reinstated freedom of press, association, assembly. He also attempted to expand suffrage to veterans at minimum.
He announced labor reforms including eight hour work days and banning child labor.
He immediately dissolved the Hungarian Armed Forces. Masaryk, Peter, and Ferdinand capitalized on this and invaded, quickly seizing most of Hungary. Czechoslovakia cut off the German coal trade, leading to the collapse of rail networks.
Following violent protests, he ordered the arrest of several KMP leaders including Kun.
The French Army ordered Hungary to cede further territory in March 1919. Károlyi had no ability to oppose the order, but Berinkey resigned as prime minister, leaving him to appoint an SDP government that would comply. Instead, the SDP and KMP declared Károlyi's resignation and announced the creation of a Hungarian Soviet Republic.
Legacy
Károlyi fled to France and the United Kingdom.
He continued to be involved in regional politics, often as representing Slovak and Carpathian interests with the USSR. He advocated internationally for opposition to Horthy's regime.
During the Soviet occupation, he returned to Hungary and served as a diplomat.
Following the execution of Rajk, he resigned and again fled to France.