History of the Hungarian People

The ancient history of Hungarians

Back in ancient times, Hungarians were nomadic-warrior people.

They roamad the plains of Asia and Europe, till they found their home in

the Carpatian Basin in 896.

They were fierce warriors, skilled horseman and masters of the bow.

They ventured in Europe where they were feared for their skills of warfare.

Saint Stephen and the Christian Hungary

The wise leader of the Hungarians, Géza saw that if Hungary doesn’t convert to christianity his nation will dissapear in Europe. That’s why he raised his family in the christian belief-system. Géza

His son (originally called Vajk) defeated the remaining pagan Hungarians lead by Koppány, founded the Kingdom of Hungary which stood for more than 900 years, became the first king of it and received the title Saint from both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Ortodox Church.

He is known today as King Saint Stephen of Hungary

He started the construction of the Esztergom Basilica which is the 3rd largest church in

Europe, this is where his right hand, the so-called „Holy Right” is kept.

Medieval Hungary

Unfortunately in 1241-1242 the conquering mongol tribes lead by Batu Khan reached Hungary and massacred half of the population and burnt most of

the country to the ground.

The news of the death of the Great Khan made the enemy hordes to return to Mongolia

This is when the rebuilding of Hungary started by King Béla IV.

who because of this is called the second founder of Hungary

Soon a new enemy, the growing Ottoman Empire became a threat to Hungary. The country became the fronline of Christian Europe. This is when the great general

Hunyadi János came to power, and at Nándorfehérvár he defeated the Turks,

becoming a hero in over Europe.

Later his son has BECOME one of the most influental Hungarian King, who brought the Renessaince to Hungary and continued the

fight against the Ottoman Empire. Today we know him as Matthias Corvinus

In 1526 a catastrophy happened, the Ottoman Army defeated the Hungarian forces at Mohács, killed the king, and

conquered the middle part of Hungary, broke the rest into two halves, leaving

Hungary separated for 150 years.

Finally in 1683 an international effort was made to chase out the Turks from Europe. In 1699 Hungary

was freed from the Turks, but payed a big price. We had become the a part of the Habsburg-Austrian Empire and lost our independence.

Hungary in Modern Times

The Modern Time of Hungary didn’t start so well, there was an attampted fight

for independence lead by Rákoczi Ferenc, but it was defeated.

Later on Hungary started to develop, the so-called Reform Age began with the leadership of the two most cherished Hungarian politicanS, Széchényi István and Kossuth Lajos. This is when many of

Hungary’s symbols were built like the Chain Bridge.

This eventually lead to Hungary’s most celebrated date, March 15

where The War for Independence started by Petőfi Sándor, Hungary’s national poet.

The war almost succeeded, but with Russian intervention the Habsburg Empire defeated the Hungarian forces, Petőfi was killed, 13

generals of the Hungarian Army were executed along with other people, and many leading politicans including Kossuth fled to

other countries.

Our 20th CenturyAfter the downfall of the War of Independence, the Austrian

Empire knew they had to ease the sorrow of the Hungarians. This lead to the birth of the Austrian-Hungarian

Monarchia.

Hungary went through vast modernisation, Europe’s second biggest Parliament was built and the first subway in

Continental Europe was built here

The First World WarThe Monarchy was a major force involved in the First World War. Hungarian troops had fought on Italian, Romanian, Russian, and

Serbian frontlines.

The Monarchy had fought on the side of the German Empire, and it’s casualty was

385 000, but that was only the beginning.

The terms of surrender,named Trianon Treaty dictated that Hungary would loose 3/2 of its territory, leaving 3,3 million

ethnic Hungarians abroad. This tragedy haunts Hungarians to this day, because still millions of Hungarians live in another

country because of this.

The Second World WarDue to the territory lost and the German political influence Hungary entered the Second World War alongside the Axis

The conseqences were devastating to the country.

Hungary has lost 580 000 people in the war wich was 6,4% of the total

population and Budapest was in ruins.

The Second Hungarian Army was compleatly destroyed at the Russian front.

Hungarian Jews being selected, deported and killed in concentration camps.

Soviet invasion and Socialist Hungary

At the end of WW2 Hungary was occupied by the Red Army, becoming a part of the

Eastern Block for 50 years under the oppression of the Soviet Union and

Hungarian Communist leaders like Rákosi Mátyás

Like in any other Eastern Block country at the time,there weren’t any free elections held, the Secret Police

searched and dealt with the „politically incorrect” and theeveryday life of the people was dictated by the State.

This eventually lead to the 1956 Revolution where Hungary fought against the oppresion. The event was started by university students

demonstrating and became an all-nation revolution.

At the time the soviet forces were breaking down the uprising, Hungary’s waterpolo team had a semi-

final match against the Soviet Union at the Melbourne Olympic Games, which is called the

bloodiest match in the Olympics history. The team had won the golden medal altough the Revolution

failed.

After the Revolution and the bloody retaliation, the State’s leadership knew they had to provide a better life quality for the people. Altough the politicics were still the

same the people now had little moore freedom and better life circumstances, so there weren’t any more

uprising.

This went on until the end of the ’80swhen fortunately Hungary had a peacefulconversion to become a democratic state.

A free HungaryToday Hungary is a democratic countryand a member of the European Union since 2004.

The country has finally become a peaceful and beautiful place ,where all guest are welcome.

The End

Made by Kitajka Béla

• Sport and Us Comenius Project

• 2010-2012