Hungary from 1920 - 1938

Hey Guys,

In 1920 the Treaty of Trianon was signed, this was signed between the Kingdom of Hungary (seen as a direct successor of Austria-Hungary) and the Entente powers. This treaty led to the Kingdom of Hungary losing around three quarters of its territory, along with losing about 64% of its population. This loss of territory also led to most of the firearm manufacturers being left in independent nations (mainly Austria and Czechoslovakia). It's air force and navy were destroyed and the army reduced to just 35,000 men (much like what happened to Germany after the Treaty of Versailles).

This gave rise to the political view of 'Greater Hungary', which was the main reason as to why Hungary allied itself with Nazi Germany to gain land from Czechoslovakia, Romania and Yugoslavia.

But the main point of this thread I want to ask is: Could Hungary have gone against the Treaty later much like Germany did, without the retaliation of the Allies? Also how successful could a rebuilding and expansion of the military be in Hungary?
 
Perhaps after the Polish - Soviet War the Hungarians could attempt to convince the British that for the good of Central Europe Hungary should be allowed to re arm. Also, they could point out that a strong central European state serves as a counter - balance to Russia or Germany (not blood likely they will be able to resist Germany or Russia for long, but Britain was always about maintaining the balance on the continent).

Or: Hungary inks a secret deal w/Germany when their armed forces start to get built up again. I'm busy right now so that's all. :)
 

yourworstnightmare

Banned
Donor
Little of topic, but before the whole Bela Kun affair America and Britain was sceptic about giving Romania enormous amounts of territory, due to the fact that they were not impressed by the Romanian efforts in WW1. The Brits thought about letting Hungary keep parts of North Transylvania, however the French were against the idea. Then the whole Bela Kun thing happened and the Romanians were helping solving that thing, so Romania got all she asked for.
 

Susano

Banned
Little of topic, but before the whole Bela Kun affair America and Britain was sceptic about giving Romania enormous amounts of territory, due to the fact that they were not impressed by the Romanian efforts in WW1. The Brits thought about letting Hungary keep parts of North Transylvania, however the French were against the idea. Then the whole Bela Kun thing happened and the Romanians were helping solving that thing, so Romania got all she asked for.

Of course, in turn the whole Bela Kun thing happened because the Reds were the only ones with weapons, after Hungary had demobolised due to Entente demands. So, the Entente shot itself in the own feet there.

And Hungary took part in the fragmentation of Czechoslovakia, which still happened peacefully, so at least in that part the OPs condition already is met. Of course, changing the border with Romania or Yugoslavia would probably require a war, and the questions then are: 1) how to keep the Western Powers out of that and 2) How to let Hungary, weaker than either Yugoslavia or Romania even individually, win. German assistance of course could maybe do the trick, but that is troubling in 1) then...

Of course, in general, Trianon will never get fully overtruned - the idea of Hungary encompassing all the Pannonian Plain again is a pipedream. However, ethnic borders are justified and more realistic under the right conditions.
 
Historic Kingdom of Hungary borders are possible, and not so much a pipedream. A stretch perhaps, but not impossible. Have Hungary annex Slovakia during the same time as Germany annexes Bohemia - Moravia. So, have Romania side with Poland in '39. Germany steamrolls Poland as in otl, and Hungary helps deal w/Romania (Germany and Hungary have been rebuilding their respective militaries, and are allies considering historic ties of friendship). Romania would definitely be a challenge for Hungary, but Germany is able to detail some forces south, especially as Poland collapses and Soviets invade from the East.

Romania suffers the loss of the whole Transylvania, which is awarded to Hungary, w/the proviso that Germany gets economic rights over the area, meaning oil. King Michael goes into exile, barely escaping with his life, and the Iron Guard takes over: they will later be compensated with territory in the East: transnistria, etc.

W/regards to Yugoslavia, Hungary will probably not get Croatia back, but definitely the Banat, and border rectifications w/Croatia. Heck, maybe someone can be found in Croatia who will offer a "personal union" between the two countries w/a Habsburg in charge in Hungary. Maybe, but that depends on Hitler, right, who hated the Habsburgs? So...maybe Karl's restoration plan works, barely holds onto his regained throne, but still dies worn out in '21. Otto, who saw what the allies and balkan powers did to his poor dad, turns very conservative, sides w/Hitler when he renounces any claim to former German territories.

Voila....Apostolic Hungary restored :cool:
 
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