Hungarian War Aims During WWI: Between Expansionism and Separatism

Aliaksandr PIAHANAU

doi:10.25142/cep.2014.030

Abstract

The question of WWI aims of the Kingdom of Hungary, constituting a distinct State within the Habsburg Monarchy, remains almost unexplored. This paper tries to reduce this gap. First, it synthesizes the main features of Hungarian expansionist projects in 1914–1918. Second, it emphasizes the importance of war-time separatist scenarios, intending to ensure the territorial integrity of Hungary. This way, the Hungarian strategic thought during the war appears to have constantly balanced between perspectives of territorial enlargement (in case of a victory of Central Powers) and independence (in case of the Entente’s success). Both alternatives had a common goal – to maximally secure the political freedom and territories of Hungary. The paper is based on the analysis and synthesis of available sources in Hungarian, Slovak, English, French and Russian (relevant historiography, published and archives documentation and memoirs).

Highlights

More moderate projects involved the redistribution of the old territories of the Habsburg Empire – the joining of Bosnia-Herzegovina and Austrian Dalmatia to Hungary
In its response to London on 23 January 1915, the Russian MFA stated that the Entente was not able to guarantee Hungary her integrity given the promises made to Bucharest and a Russian need to count with Slavic aspirations of liberation from the Magyar yoke
Czernin and Tisza agreed that the Dual Monarchy should continue the war if the Entente did not abandon her goals to split the Habsburg Empire

Summary

Introduction

More moderate projects involved the redistribution of the old territories of the Habsburg Empire – the joining of Bosnia-Herzegovina (which was under the Austro-Hungarian condominium since 1908) and Austrian Dalmatia to Hungary. As a radical way of ensuring the territorial integrity of the Kingdom, the Hungarian politicians even envisaged severance with Austria, declaration of independence and the conclusion of a separate peace treaty with the Entente.

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Conclusion