The French Gendarme: Hungary in 1920
Czechoslovakia’s neutrality in the Russo-Polish war infuriated many in Paris. Sure, the French had refused to send troops, but they were far away; Czechoslovakia was next door, and so its neutrality did not go over well. Meanwhile, Hungary’s leadership had offered to supply Poland with men and munitions, and although their motivations were obvious [1], Budapest’s firm anti-Bolsheveik platform earned them favor in Paris. Thus, by the end of 1920 French policy in the region had shifted.
Yet the origins of the dramatic turnabout in French policy began earlier in the year. By May French investors had bought a controlling interest in Hungary’s railways, and the French had begun dangling promises of military aid in front of the Hungarians. Finally, on August 7, Hungarian diplomats met with officials from the French military, who, off the record, implied that France would choose Hungary of Czechoslovakia if anything came to blows. After Warsaw’s fall the French agreed to support Hungarian rearmament, and the first shipments of munitions arrived in September.
Naturally, the states of the former Habsburg Empire are not amused. Austria had warned Czechoslovakia in July of a Franco-Hungarian treaty, and its warnings were coming true. It should therefore come as no surprise that the states of the former Habsburg Empire quickly formed what became known as the Little Entente in August of 1920 [2]. By the end of the year Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes [3], Romania, and Czechoslovakia have formed an alliance to defend themselves against the Bolsheviks as well as Hungarian revanchism. Austria ends up joining the alliance when France and Britain determine at the beginning of 1921 that the Austrian province of Burgenland should go to Hungary.
As tensions rise along the Danube, Charles, Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary, King of Bohemia, has been plotting. The French are also concerned about Eastern Europe, and Prime Minister Briand has become convinced that the Danubian region needs firm leadership. Perhaps, both agree, it is time for the return of the king.
[1] The Hungarians were hoping to gain Ruthenia and part of Slovakia.
[2] Much like in OTL, actually.
[3] Yugoslavia.