Death of Hungarian Nationalist Lajos Kossuth
Lajos Kossuth, a prominent Hungarian nationalist, passed away on March 20, 1894, in Turin, Italy, after a life dedicated to advocating for Hungarian independence. Born on September 19, 1802, Kossuth witnessed the rise of nationalism across Europe, a movement that emphasized the rights of distinct cultural and linguistic groups to self-govern. He began his career as a journalist and became deeply involved in politics, eventually serving as a minister of finance in Hungary’s briefly established semiautonomous government during the 1848 revolutions. Although he initially achieved some successes, including the granting of a separate constitution for Hungary, Kossuth's efforts faced setbacks when the Austrians, aided by Russian forces, suppressed the Hungarian struggle for autonomy.
Following his defeat, Kossuth lived in exile, primarily in Britain and Italy, where he continued to promote Hungarian independence until his death. While he did not see Hungary achieve full independence, his advocacy contributed to the eventual establishment of Austria-Hungary, a dual monarchy that granted Hungary significant internal autonomy. Kossuth remains a key historical figure in Hungary's struggle for self-determination and is remembered as a national hero.
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Death of Hungarian Nationalist Lajos Kossuth
Death of Hungarian Nationalist Lajos Kossuth
Lajos Kossuth, sometimes known as Louis Kossuth, died on March 20, 1894. During his long life of over 90 years, comprising most of the 19th century, he was a witness to and active participant in the rise of European nationalism. In particular he helped obtain greater independence for the Hungarian people of central Europe.
Modern-day Hungary is located in what was known as Pannonia during antiquity, a large plain in central Europe. It is the westernmost extension of the vast Eurasian plain that sweeps across the steppes through Russia and the Ukraine all the way to China. The Romans established some settlements on the Danube River, which runs through the region. The Hungarians, also known as Magyars, first came to settle the region under the leadership of the warrior chieftain Arpad (a.d. 869–907). The Magyars were a collection of wandering tribes originally from the Ural Mountains of central Russia, related to the famous Huns of Attila the Hun, who by the name of Attly is something of a national hero in Hungary even today. They were a wandering band of conquerers who settled in such far-ranging regions as Finland and North Korea before invading Pannonia. They defeated the indigenous peoples and built a powerful nation, which was converted to Christianity under King Stephen I, also known as St. Stephen (c. 975–1038). Stephen also forced the Hungarians to give up their nomadic lifestyle and build European-style cities and settlements.
The Hungarians prospered during the Middle Ages, but most of the country fell to the Ottoman Turks in 1526, only to be ceded to the Austrian Empire in 1699. However, in the 19th century nationalism began to rise in Europe. Nationalism is the belief that a people with a single language, culture, and common history should have their own nation, ruler, and form of government. The rising tide of nationalism would sweep across all of Europe, including the Austrian Empire. Austria was particularly vulnerable to nationalism because of the diverse ethnic mix of the central European lands it ruled: in addition to the Hungarians, there were Poles, Czechs, Slovaks, Croats, Moravians, some Italians, and various smaller groups.
It was into this environment that Lajos Kossuth was born on September 19, 1802, in Monok, Hungary. He was educated in Sarospatak and Budapest, where he received a law degree. However, Kossuth was more interested in politics, and he became a journalist for radical newspapers espousing the cause of Hungarian independence. Kossuth was imprisoned for his activities from 1837 until 1840, but after his release he returned to political journalism. In 1847 he was elected to the regional Hungarian parliament and became an outspoken liberal advocate of establishing a separate constitutional government for Hungary. During the wave of popular discontent that swept Europe in 1848, Kossuth helped win concessions from Austria's Hapsburg monarchy, and Hungary was permitted to adopt a separate constitution and form its own semiautonomous government.
Kossuth was appointed minister of finance for the new Hungarian regime. The Austrians were maneuvering to regain full control over Hungary, however, and they were supported by ethnic minorities within Hungary itself, who feared nationalists like Kossuth. In the summer of 1848 Kossuth called for a general mobilization in order to defend the new Hungarian state, and in April 1849 he became the governor and military leader of the nation. His armies were successful at first, but then the Russians came to the assistance of the Austrians and the Hungarians were crushed. Kossuth was forced to flee to Turkey and then went on to Great Britain. He spent the rest of his life in Britain and Italy, tirelessly promoting the cause of Hungarian independence while in exile. Kossuth died in Turin, Italy, on March 20, 1894.
Although he did not live to see Hungarian independence, Kossuth did see Hungary become a partner in the Austrian Empire. After the disastrous Seven Weeks War of 1866 in which Prussia defeated Austria in their struggle for control over the divided states of Germany, the Hungarians once again began to express their discontent. Austrian emperor Francis Joseph I was forced to grant Hungary considerable independence over internal affairs, and his empire became known as Austria-Hungary, with himself as emperor of Austria and king of Hungary. This was a victory for nationalism as well, though Hungary and the rest of central Europe would not achieve full independence until the 20th century.