The Echo of the Prague Congress in Hungary in the Contemporary Press and Political Thought

Mészáros, Andor (2025) The Echo of the Prague Congress in Hungary in the Contemporary Press and Political Thought. HISTORICAL STUDIES ON CENTRAL EUROPE, 5 (1). pp. 27-35. ISSN 2786-0930

Preview

Text 03_MeszarosA_HSCE_2025_1_vONL_PDFA.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial. Download (935kB) | Preview

Abstract

At the turn of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the Hungarian state faced a significant dilemma: It had to assert its independence within the Habsburg Empire while navigating the challenges of modern ethnic and linguistic national movements in Hungary. Many members of the reform-era Hungarian aristocracy believed that modernization, urbanization, and the extension of rights would lead to the assimilation or, at least, to loyalty of non-Hungarian groups. They envisioned a multi-ethnic state where Hungarian would be the official language for political and administrative purposes, while acknowledging the existence of other languages within the realm. This concept of a ‘Hungarian political nation’ was later formalized in the 1867 Compromise. However, others warned that the rise of Hungarian nationalism could alienate non-Hungarian groups, particularly the Slavs, and competing nation-building processes might be a threat to the integrity of the multi-ethnic Hungarian state. Intended to foster Slavic cooperation within the Habsburg Empire, the Prague Congress in June 1848 further intensified concerns. While initially seen as a potential ally against Austrian dominance, the Congress’s pronouncements on Slavic rights and autonomy were perceived as a threat to Hungarian statehood. Kossuth, in particular, reacted strongly to the Congress’s accusations of Hungarian oppression and its calls for Slavic independence. The Prague Congress had a profound impact on Hungarian political thought. It solidified the perception of Slavic nationalism as a threat to the integrity of the Hungarian Kingdom. Rather than fostering cooperation, the Congress turned out to be a symbol of conflict and a point of contention in Hungarian-Slavic relations.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item