The Weimar Republic, also known as Weimar Germany, is
a period of time between First World War and the rice of the Nazi power in the
late 1930’s. As opposed to the thinking of the epoch it is now proven that this
republic created a transition of power in the defeated Germany, but also in
regions nearby and, more importantly, it defined a new era in the rising of the
nationalism ideology. I consider this to be a huge step on the history of
nations because no one had dared of a regime based on the patriotic feeling and
autocratic government, let alone put it in practice and this was the turning
point for countries to start considering a switch in power. I will focus on
Hungary during the interwar period (1919-1940).
As
every country’s history, Hungary started by being and empire, the
Austro-Hungarian Empire. However, as the Great War ended the empire dissolved
and the country was forced, for the first time ever, to create a successful form
of government in which society and authority could work as one. Instead, there
was civil war, resulting in the rule of Mihály Károlyi as president of the
first republic of Hungary. Thanks to his reforms, population became discontent
and Communists, leaded by Béla Kun proclaimed Hungary a Soviet Republic. His
regime did not last long and, after much discrepancy between the population,
Hungary turned into a Nazi-influenced Parliamentary Democracy which leaned more
to autocratic rule. Nevertheless, it wasn’t until that evolution from first
republic to communism –1918 to 1919 –when the power change was actually seen
and sensed by the population of Hungary.
I
think that power is actually visible in the way one can control the population
of a country and use it to fulfill one’s objectives. This was the case of
Mihály Károlyi, who truly believed in the Entente philosophy and, to redeem the
people from the guilt and destruction occurred in World War I, disarmed the
national army and left the country defenseless. Obviously, Czechoslovakia,
Rumania and other territories nearby invaded and stole Hungarian territory.
Maybe the President’s intention was not to have his territory pilfered, but it
was his ultimate powerful decision that sealed the fate of one third of Hungarians.
On
the other hand, Béla Kun gained the support of the Social Democrats and his
popularity rose to the level that he ascended to power quickly. However, and in
spite of the battles won again Czechoslovakia, his unpopular decisions of nationalizing
the industry won him the discontent of the population and eventually he was out
ruled for his bad use of the military power that he had restored after his predecessor.
Having
analyzed this main swift in power, I think that it is a delicate matter to choose
the right government for a country, no matter its size or population type. In
addition, the post-war period was extremely difficult, for it presented the
path to modern times and a new way of thinking –and therefore ruling –was needed.
As we found in the first case, trying to install the ideas of a certain current
–which had started far from Hungary –was a catastrophe, for it ended up in the
loss of territory. A regime, in which the battles won meant nothing when accompanied
by ruthless military forces use and lame decisions, was clearly not the
solution, either. I think that there is a need to consider the cultural and economic
aspects of the country and try to establish a balance in the power one person
has.
References:
"History of Hungary: History." History of Hungary: History. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 June 2012. <http://hungarianhistory.tripod.com/>.
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