Hungary And Austria: Allies Or Adversaries?

The question of whether Austria should ally with Hungary has been a topic of discussion for centuries. In the 19th century, the two nations formed a dual monarchy, which lasted until the end of World War I in 1918. Since then, the relationship between the two countries has been complex and often strained. Today, the issue of whether Austria should ally with Hungary is a matter of political debate, with some arguing that shared interests and cultural ties make an alliance beneficial, while others caution against aligning with Hungary's populist and nationalist government.

The pros and cons of allying with Hungary as Austria in the game Europa Universalis IV

Allying with Hungary as Austria in the game Europa Universalis IV has its pros and cons.

Pros:

• Hungary is a powerful ally that can help Austria in wars, especially against the Ottomans.
• Austria and Hungary have a historical friend modifier that can reduce the risk of Hungary breaking the alliance.
• Hungary often gets a Habsburg ruler, which makes it easier for Austria to claim the throne and form a Personal Union.
• A Personal Union with Hungary gives Austria control over a large and powerful nation, which can be used to expand into the Balkans and counter the Ottoman threat.
• Hungary can provide access to the Black Sea and potential expansion into Eastern Europe.

Cons:

• Hungary may ally with Poland or other nations that Austria does not want to fight, limiting Austria's diplomatic options.
• Hungary may rival Austria or have negative relations, making an alliance difficult to maintain.
• Hungary's allies may include powerful nations like Poland or Muscovy, which can make breaking their alliances challenging.
• Hungary's location and alliances may draw Austria into unwanted wars, especially if they are allied with nations that Austria rivals, such as Venice.
• A truce with Hungary after breaking the alliance can delay Austria's plans for expansion or forming a Personal Union.

The historical context of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

The Austro-Hungarian Empire, also known as the Dual Monarchy, lasted from 1867 until 1918. It was a multinational constitutional monarchy in Central Europe, consisting of two sovereign states with a single monarch, who was titled Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. The Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, also known as the Ausgleich, established this dual monarchy in the aftermath of the Austro-Prussian War and wars of independence by Hungary in opposition to Habsburg rule.

The agreement was a compromise between the emperor and Hungary, not between Hungary and the rest of the empire. The peoples of the empire were not consulted, despite earlier promises made by Emperor Franz Joseph to not make further constitutional changes without the advice of the imperial parliament, the Reichsrat. Hungary received full internal autonomy and agreed that the empire should remain a single great state for war and foreign affairs. This "common monarchy" consisted of the emperor and his court, the minister for foreign affairs, and the minister of war. There was no common prime minister, and the common affairs were considered by delegations from the two parliaments.

The official name of the state was Austria-Hungary, but it was often referred to as the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, the Danubian Monarchy, or the Dual Monarchy. The kingdom of Hungary had a name, a king, and a history of its own, while the rest of the empire was a casual agglomeration without a clear description. The rest of the empire was technically known as ""the kingdoms and lands represented in the Reichsrat" or "the other Imperial half."

The Austro-Hungarian Empire was one of Europe's major powers. It was the second-largest country in Europe geographically and the third most populous, after Russia and the German Empire. It was among the ten most populous countries worldwide and had the fourth-largest machine-building industry in the world. The dual monarchy was a real union between Cisleithania, the northern and western parts of the former Austrian Empire, and Transleithania (Kingdom of Hungary). The Austrian and Hungarian states were co-equal in power, conducting unified diplomatic and defence policies.

The Kingdom of Croatia-Slavonia, an autonomous region under the Hungarian crown, was a third component of the union. After 1878, Bosnia and Herzegovina came under Austro-Hungarian joint military and civilian rule until it was fully annexed in 1908, provoking the Bosnian crisis. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was one of the Central Powers in World War I, which began with its declaration of war on the Kingdom of Serbia on 28 July 1914. It was effectively dissolved by the time the armistice of Villa Giusti was signed on 3 November 1918.

The impact of the Austrian-Hungarian War on the alliance

The Austrian-Hungarian War, fought between 1477 and 1488, had a significant impact on the alliance between the two nations. The conflict arose due to tensions between King Matthias Corvinus of Hungary and Frederick V, the Habsburg Archduke of Austria, who was also the Holy Roman Emperor. While the war resulted in notable gains for Matthias, it ultimately ended with an armistice in 1488, followed by a reversal of fortunes for both sides.

One of the most significant impacts of the war on the alliance was the humiliation of Frederick V. Despite having the support of the Prince-electors and the Imperial States, Frederick was forced to flee his residence in Vienna and seek refuge in Graz and later Linz in Upper Austria. The Habsburgs, known for their prowess in marriage politics, lacked the military might to match the Black Army of Hungary, which was a formidable mercenary force under skilled commanders like Stephen V Báthory and Lawrence of Ilok. This military imbalance led to the conquest of most of the Lower Austrian territories by Hungarian forces.

The war also highlighted the complex dynamics within the alliance. Initially, Emperor Frederick had assisted Matthias in the Bohemian War against the Hussites. However, their alliance soon fractured, and Frederick forged a new alliance with Vladislaus Jagiellon, whom he enfeoffed with the Kingdom of Bohemia. This angered Matthias, who proceeded to invade Frederick's Austrian lands. The conflict culminated in notable battles such as the Battle of Leitzersdorf, the Siege of Vienna in 1485, and the Siege of Wiener Neustadt.

The armistice in 1488 brought a temporary cessation of hostilities, but tensions remained. Matthias offered to return the conquered Austrian provinces and Vienna to Frederick and his son, Prince Maximilian, on the condition that they renounce the Treaty of 1463 and accept Matthias as Frederick's designated political heir and potential successor as Holy Roman Emperor. However, before this agreement could be finalised, Matthias Corvinus died suddenly in 1490, leading to a reversal of his gains.

In the aftermath of Matthias' death, Frederick was able to regain the Austrian lands without a serious fight. The Hungarian nobles were too preoccupied with their own interests to protect the monarchy, and Matthias' illegitimate son, John Corvinus, was too young to succeed effectively. While Frederick could not enforce the Habsburg succession to the Hungarian throne, he managed to exert influence through strategic marriages. In 1491, his son, King Maximilian I, signed the Peace of Pressburg with Vladislaus Jagiellon, who was elected as Matthias' successor in Hungary. This treaty arranged for the return of Matthias' conquests and established the potential for Maximilian to succeed Vladislaus if he produced no heir.

In conclusion, the Austrian-Hungarian War had a significant impact on the alliance between the two nations. It exposed the military weaknesses of the Habsburgs, highlighted complex alliance dynamics, and ultimately led to a temporary armistice and a reversal of fortunes for both sides. The war's aftermath also set the stage for continued power struggles and political manoeuvring between the two nations.

The benefits of allying with Hungary to counter the Ottoman Empire

• Hungary is a powerful ally, with a large army and significant manpower.
• Hungary shares a border with the Ottoman Empire, and therefore has a vested interest in preventing Ottoman expansion.
• Hungary has a strong anti-Ottoman sentiment, and is likely to be a reliable ally against the Ottomans.
• Hungary has a history of successful military campaigns against the Ottomans, and can provide valuable military expertise and experience.
• Hungary can serve as a buffer state between Austria and the Ottoman Empire, providing additional protection for Austria.
• Hungary has a strong economy and can provide economic benefits to Austria through trade and investment.
• Hungary has a large and well-trained cavalry force, which can be a significant advantage in battle against the Ottoman infantry.
• Hungary has a strong navy, which can be used to control the Adriatic Sea and prevent Ottoman naval incursions.
• Hungary has a history of successful diplomacy and can provide valuable political and strategic advice to Austria.
• Hungary has a strong intelligence network, which can be used to gather information about Ottoman plans and movements.
• Hungary has a large and well-fortified capital, Budapest, which can serve as a stronghold and refuge in the event of an Ottoman invasion.

The potential consequences of allying with Hungary on Austria's relationship with other European powers

Austria's history is complex, and its territory has undergone drastic changes over time. The country has been a part of various unions and empires, including the Holy Roman Empire, the German Confederation, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the German Reich. Today, it is a member of the European Union.

Hungary, on the other hand, has had a somewhat tumultuous relationship with the European powers. In the past, it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but more recently, it has been at odds with the EU over issues such as migration and border control.

If Austria were to ally with Hungary, it could risk alienating its relationships with other European powers, particularly those within the EU. Hungary has often been at odds with the EU, and an alliance with Hungary could be seen as Austria taking sides in these disputes. This could create tensions with other EU member states and potentially weaken Austria's position within the union.

Additionally, an alliance with Hungary could impact Austria's relationship with Russia. Hungary has historically had close ties with Russia and, more recently, has sought to cultivate stronger relations with the country. If Austria allies with Hungary, it may be drawn into this dynamic, potentially affecting its relationships with other European powers, particularly those that have strained relationships with Russia.

Furthermore, an alliance with Hungary could affect Austria's standing with its Central and Eastern European neighbours. Many of these countries have had conflicts with Hungary in the past and may view an alliance between Austria and Hungary as a potential threat to their interests. This could lead to increased tensions and potentially even conflict within the region.

Finally, an alliance with Hungary could impact Austria's global reputation. Austria has traditionally been seen as a neutral country, and allying with Hungary could be perceived as a departure from this stance. This could affect Austria's relationships with other global powers and potentially impact its ability to act as a mediator or neutral party in international disputes.

In conclusion, an alliance with Hungary could have far-reaching consequences for Austria's relationships with other European powers. It could impact its standing within the EU, its relationships with Russia and its Central and Eastern European neighbours, and its global reputation as a neutral country. Therefore, Austria should carefully consider the potential repercussions before entering into any formal alliance with Hungary.

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