A Political History of Hungary 1944-1990 (dedikált példány) [antikvár]

INTRODUCTION 'T 1 HE CONVENING - in December 1944 - of the Provisional National Assembly and the "election" of the Provisional National Government marked the beginning of a new chapter in Hungarian history, an eventful era that was to last almost half a century and to end with the change of political system of 1989-1990. Hungarians of the older generation are still very much bound to this era - having lived through all or part of it. The younger generation, meanwhile, looks to the four decades of Communism in its search for the causes of present failures and achievements. There is no doubt that the era in question ended with the change of political system of 1989-90. Thus we may now look back at this chapter of Hungarian history with greater detachment, basing our conclusions on the findings of Hungarian historians made over the last ten years. Although the historical turning-point of 1944-1945 culminated in Hungary's liberation firom German occupation, the country failed to recover its independence. Nevertheless, despite the harsh conditions, the new Provisional National Government turned out to be surprisingly successful (and more successful than any of its predecessors) at achieving its stated goals within a given timeframe. Indeed, the fundamental changes implemented by the Provisional National Government altered the very nature of Hungarian society. Hungary's sovereignty was severely restricted by the Allied Control Commission, a body that influenced the policies of both the Provisional National Government and its successors. Nevertheless, the Armistice Agreement amounted to de facto recognition of a new Hungary. This