The 1890’s saw Budapest as one of the fastest growing cities in Europe. During this decade, the Hungarians held the Millennium celebrations (1896) to mark one thousand years of Magyar settlement in the Carpathian Basin. As part of the celebrations the Földalatti (now metro line 1) underground railway was constructed along with Hõsök tér (Heroes' Square) and the Városliget (City Park). These celebrations were meant to symbolised the confidence and sense of achievement that Hungarians now felt. However, all the pomp and ceremony hid deep problems within the country that would come much more strongly to the fore in later years.

By the turn of the century Budapest had become a destination for wealthy travelers throughout Europe and cultural life was prospering on a previously unknown scale. All this  however was brought to a sudden end by the outbreak of war in 1914.

World War I and its Aftermath
The first World War exposed all of the weaknesses of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, both politically and militarily. Not only did
Hungary end up on the losing side, it also suffered in the ensuing peace treaty. Enfeebled by four years of war, and suffering from internal political divisions between Bolshevik supporters hoping for help from the Soviet Union and right wing elements, the country was in no position to influence the subsequent peace treaty.  Indeed, Romanian and Czech forces, with the blessing of the French occupied areas of Hungary. Indeed, the Romanians occupied Budapest for a time, looting and plundering until they left in November 1919. Hungary signed the treaty of Trianon on 4 June 1920. This treaty stripped Hungary of two thirds of its territory and millions of Hungarians found themselves outside of the countries new borders.

During the 1920’s and 30’s, Hungary moved further to the right, marking it as an ally of Nazi Germany. The main Hungarian political figure was Miklós Horthy, who had assumed the title of Regent in place of any Habsburg claimant to the Hungarian throne. Horthy’s desire to reclaim the territory lost under Trianon pushed him further towards the German camp.

 Budapest in the inter war period still provided a destination for Europe's rich, with a developing spa sector, which is still important today. The cafe society continued to thrive on a par with Vienna and Hungarian culture continued to develop.. However, as Hungary moved closer to an accommodation with Germany, an unpleasant aspect of Budapest came to the fore, with growing anti-Semitism against the cities large and prominent Jewish community, who found their rights and freedoms gradually eroded.
(excerpt from GlobeWalker.com)
 

Chain Bridge, 1900                                          For more information on Budapest click here: 
Budapest, Hungary
(Click on picture for a map of Hungary)

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