= Mihály Károlyi =

'''Mihály Károlyi''' (''Károlyi Mihály'') was the first [[Hungary/PrimeMinisters|prime minister]] and [[Hungary/Presidents|president]] of the [[Hungary/Democratization#First_Hungarian_Republic|First Hungarian Republic]].

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== 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 [[Hungary/PartyOfIndependence|Party of Independence]].

He was traveling in the United States, France, and Spain when [[WorldHistory/WorldWar1|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 [[Hungary/UnitedPartyOfIndependenceAnd1848|United Party of Independence and 1848]]; generally known as the '''Károlyi Party'''.

Following the end of the world war, the [[Austria/Monarchs#Austro-Hungarian_Empire|empire]] entered a rapid decline. The separate nations scrambled for territory and independence. Recognition of [[Czechia/TomasMasaryk|Masaryk]] as [[Czechia/Democratization#First_Czechoslovak_Republic|Czechoslovak]] head of state accelerated the legitimacy crisis. [[Austria/CharlesI|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. [[Hungary/SandorWekerle|Wekerle]] annulled the [[Austria/Monarchs#Austro-Hungarian_Empire|Compromise of 1867]] and resigned. Charles IV hesitated to appoint a new prime minister, leaving Hungary without a government for two weeks.

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== Policies ==

Károlyi led the Hungarian National Council as leader of his party; the Radical Party and [[Hungary/SocialDemocraticParty|SDP]] also participated.

Amid riots in late October, [[Austria/CharlesI|Charles IV]] named [[Hungary/JanosHadik|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. [[Hungary/IstvanTisza|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. [[Czechia/TomasMasaryk|Masaryk]], [[Serbia/PeterI|Peter]], and [[Romania/FerdinandI|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 [[Hungary/CommunistParty|KMP]] leaders including [[Hungary/BelaKun|Kun]].

The [[France/GeorgesClemenceau|French]] Army ordered Hungary to cede further territory in March 1919. Károlyi had no ability to oppose the order, but [[Hungary/DenesBerinkey|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'''.

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== 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 [[WorldHistory/SovietUnion|USSR]]. He advocated internationally for opposition to [[Hungary/MiklosHorthy|Horthy's]] regime.

During the [[Hungary/Democratization#Occupation|Soviet occupation]], he returned to Hungary and served as a diplomat.

Following the execution of [[Hungary/LaszloRajk|Rajk]], he resigned and again fled to France.



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