leadership of Prince Ferenc Rákoczi 

(St. Germane), the Hungarians started 

their first significant freedom fight 

(1703-1711) against Habsburg 

domination. Independence could not be 

obtained and economic and cultural 

development was hemmed by the 

subsequent oppression. Nevertheless the 

country was rebuilt. 

                                ***

  In 1848-49 Hungarians fought again for 

independence against the Habsburgs, and 

could only be defeated when 200,000 

Imperial Russian troops entered the 

country at the request of the Austrians. 

Bloody oppression followed. In 1867, the 

Compromise was negotiated, which 

assured Hungarians limited independence 

«« back

                        - 53 -

and freedom. Franz Joseph of 

Habsburg was crowned king and the 

Austro-Hungarian Monarchy was 

formed. 

                             ***

  A devastating tragedy struck Hungary 

after World War I, when the Peace 

Treaty of Trianon was signed in 1920. 

Hungary lost 71% of her territory, two 

thirds of her population and all her 

valuable assets below and on the 

surface to neighboring and newly 

formed countries. The state was broken 

up into 7 pieces. 

                              ***

  Hungary was forced to enter World 

War II in 1941. By 1944 the country 

                                                fold »»

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