US support for Hungary 1848/49

[Melvin Loh]

I remember reading an article in, IIRC, JOURNAL OF EASTERN EUROPEAN HIST back in 1996 which was about US support for Louis Kossuth and the Hungarian nationalists fighting the Hapsburgs for their homeland's independence during 1848-49, which discussed among other things whether US military support for Hungary could've eventuated, based on the high mutual regard held by some American and Hungarian politicians for each other, esp with Kossuth (at least theoretically) espousing the same values of freedom and democracy which the American Revolution had been based on. What do ppl reckon about this scenario ? Could the US in the aftermath of the Mexican War have in any conceivable way been able to mount a military expedition into central Europe to assist the Hungarian cause against Austrian forces, and what would've been the outcome on European hist for the next 1/2 century ? Could US forces have also, in addition to fighting Austria, ended up tangling with the Russians, who later for reactionary motives joined the war to crush the nationalists ? Or would such a campaign be total fantasy ?

 

[David S Poepoe]

I have to admit that I can't see how any significant portion of the US Army could be sent to aid the Hungarians. All I can figure would be that the US officially recognizes Kossuth and Company and provides it some funds and arms. US warships may be dispatched to the Mediterranean and Adriatic to harass Austrian shipping. However, against the overwhelming might of both the Austrian and Russian armies I don't see Hungary really being too successful. It entirely possible that such a foreign policy decision by the United States could turn around and bit them in the ass over foreign recognition of the Confederacy.

 

[zoomar]

But, didn't the US have such a strong isolationist foreign policy in the mid-1800's that it's virtually impossible any US government would seriously consider intervening in a European conflict regardless of what they thought of the people/causes involved?

 

[Grey Wolf]

I'm no expert in anything, but I would agree with the naysayers as I don't see HOW the USA can do anything useful ? IIRC they don't need to send ships to the Med as they already have a squadron there (little known fact maybe) but what would they DO ? You can't attack the battle lines of a major nation with a few ships of the line and good frigates - no matter what their worth, they'll get bashed. You can't land troops without having a secure sealane. So the only options open are the financial and political ones - recognise Kossuth, and open banking channels to them, but who is going to provide sufficient funds to make a real difference ?

Grey Wolf

 

[Brilliantlight]

I'm no expert in anything, but I would agree with the naysayers as I don't see HOW the USA can do anything useful ? IIRC they don't need to send ships to the Med as they already have a squadron there (little known fact maybe) but what would they DO ? You can't attack the battle lines of a major nation with a few ships of the line and good frigates - no matter what their worth, they'll get bashed. You can't land troops without having a secure sealane. So the only options open are the financial and political ones - recognise Kossuth, and open banking channels to them, but who is going to provide sufficient funds to make a real difference ?

Grey Wolf

Agreed, it is just too early for the US to make much difference.