March15

Hungarian War of Independence

  • Begining of the War of Independence

    Begining of the War of Independence
    In 1848 there was a chain of revolutions, strating from Italy trough Paris, Vienna and Pest. On march 15th the the Revolutionary youngster Democrats gathered at Café Pilvax, then printed out the Twelve Points and the National Song at Landerer's printshop. They marched to the National Museum, then to the City Hall of Pest where they made their points accepted. Later made their way to the Viceregal Council demanding Táncsics to be released. Eventually, Bánk Bán was played in the National Theather.
  • The First Responsible Government

    The First Responsible Government
    In 1848 The First Responsible Government was established. The government was responsible to the
    actions and decisions of the parlament and governing the country as well. The aim of this was to limit the power and influence of the King over Hungary by being independent from the Habsburg Empire. Prime Minister was Count Batthyány Lajos, Kossuth Lajos became the Minister of Finance, while Count Széchenyi István got the title of Minister of Public Works.
  • Issuing the April Laws

    Issuing the April Laws
    The April Laws was accepted by Ferdinand V. which contained: the most important bacis rights for individuals, limited the power of Habsburg Kings, the establishment of a representative parliament, general taxation and compulsory redemption along with the reunion of Hungary and Transylvania. Besides that, it made Hungary a constitutional monarchy, and also made the revolution lawful.
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    Fight against Jelacic

    Since the April Laws didn't specify the rights of the ethnic minorities, they started a turmoil from which Kossuth took advantage of. However, as soon as Vienna consolidated the problems, Jelcacic crossed the Hungarian border with an army and the fights started in 11th of september. Jelcacic wanted to recapture Buda and execute the Royal decree, but he was defeated at Pákozd on 29th of september by Móga János.
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    Windischgrӓtz area at the end of 1848

    After the establishment of the National Defense Committee, Móga was defeated at the Battle of Schwechat by Windischgrӓtz. After that Görgey Arthúr became the leader, since Móga resigned, Ferdinand the V. was deposed, and Windischgrӓtz organized a long-term campaign against Hungary which he successfully won over and over again.
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    Manifesto to Vác

    At the beggining of 1849 Windischgrӓtz was able to capture Buda, however Görgey issued the Manifesto to Vác in order to restore peace, but Francis Joseph refused it. After the Görgey was replaced with Henrik Dembinski. Despite that in the Battle of Kápolna (february 26th-27th) Windischgrӓtz defeated the Hungarians again, and due to the octroyed constitution of Olmütz Hungary became a province of the Habsburg Empire.
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    The spring campaign and the declaration of Independence

    It's aim was to recapture Buda, that's why the main tactic was to distract Windischgrӓtz, while the main army surround the imperial troops. Fights happened in Hatvan, Tápióbicske, Isaszeg, Vác and Nagysalló in which Gáspár András, Görgey and Aulich Lajos greatly contributed. By the siege of Buda (may 4th-21st) the whole country was liberated from the Habsburg forces. After that, the perliament decleared the dethronement of the Habsburg dynasty and the Independence of Hungary in Debrecen.
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    The endgame

    Russians and the imperials organized a fight against Hungary with the help of Haynau. The government tried to escape, however Dembinski was defeated at Temesvár (aug. 9th), that's why Görgey was give dictatorial power by the government. On the 13rd of august Görgey was surrended by the Russians at Világos and a few days later Klapka at Komárom. To officially end the whole revolution, Batthyány and the 13 generals were executed in Arad at 6th of october.