Geschichte des modernen Ungarn, 1914-heute / History of Modern Hungary, 1914-Present

This course examines the history of modern Hungary from the outbreak of the First World War to the present. It scrutinizes the main political events and examines social and cultural developments in a wider East Central European and continental framework. Students will discuss such important and controversial issues as: Hungary’s role and participation in the First World War; revolutions and counterrevolutions between 1918 and 1921; the Treaty of Trianon and its short- and long-term consequences; the nature of the Horthy regime; Hungarian participation in WWII on the side of Nazi Germany; the Hungarian role in and responsibility for the genocide of Hungarian Jews; the Communist takeover of power and the creation of the Stalinist state after 1947; the popular uprising against the Stalinist state and Soviet occupation in 1956; retribution after the failed uprising; the nature Kádár regime and ”gulyás Communism;” modernization and social and cultural developments under state socialism; political dissent and social rebellions (including youth rebellions) in Hungary in the 1970s and 1980s; the crisis of state socialism in the 1980s; the change of regime in the late 1980s and early 1990; the rise of democracy in the context of a deep social and cultural crisis; Hungary’s entry into the NATO and the EU; the self-destruction of the political Left in 2006; the rise of ”illiberal democracy” after 2010.

The class will meet once a week for a long lecture on the weekly topic listed in the syllabus, which also contains the recommended readings. This is an elective course: the only requirement for the credit is regular participation. However, students might choose, to take an exam at the end of the course, or depending on their module, to hand in three protocols.

This is a bilingual course. With one or two exception s the lectures will be held in English. However, students can ask question both in English and German; they can also write the protocols in both languages.