Richárd Pomichal: The Relationship of Czechoslovakia and Hungary in the 1920’s
In consequence of the Trianon dictatorship Hungary lost two thirds of its territory, one third of the Hungarian nation found itself to be ruled by foreign power. All of the Hungarian governments between the two world wars made efforts to change peace dictatorship. The Hungarian governments even had it clear that to this power supporter(s) are necessary, since there was no hope that the neighbours voluntarily renounce the newly gained territories.
In 1921 the representatives of Budapest and Prague even sit down to the meeting table, but did not succeed. Hungary’s hopes were even decreased when Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Romania in 1920-21 concluded an alliance (kisantant). Its goal was to hinder Hungary.
At the beginning of the 1920’s it was not possible to speak against the Trianon decision. To 1921 the new European order became firm, and there were no successful agreements with Poland and France. István Bethlen, the Prime Minister admitted that the new situation has to be accepted. In that moment Hungary was weak, so firstly it is necessary to create a good situation within the country. Only from the second part of the decade became Hungary provide foreign affairs actively. It concluded an alliance with the unsatisfied winner of the first world war, with Italy, economically strengthened, and the article of Lord Rothermere raised the attention of foreign countries. Finally, István Bethlen Prime Minister in March 1928 in Debrecen, revealed to the public the program of the peace revision. Hungary became stronger, the Bethlen-cabinet was successful, but in 1929 an economic crisis began that sweeps away the government and at the same time shed light on Europe’s problems more. When the crises ended, Adolf Hitler appeared in world politics.