# Second Hungarian Republic

> Central European state between 1946 and 1949

**Wikidata**: [Q940741](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q940741)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Hungarian_Republic)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/second-hungarian-republic

## Summary
The Second Hungarian Republic was a Central European state that existed between 1946 and 1949, following the dissolution of the Kingdom of Hungary and preceding the establishment of the Hungarian People's Republic. It was a democratic republic that briefly operated before being replaced by a socialist regime.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** February 1, 1946 (proclamation of the republic).
- **Dissolution:** August 20, 1949 (overthrow by the Hungarian Workers' Party).
- **Capital:** Budapest (shared with the Kingdom of Hungary).
- **Currency:** Hungarian adópengő (introduced January 1, 1946).
- **Official Language:** Hungarian (Magyar).
- **Predecessor:** Kingdom of Hungary (1920–1946).
- **Successor:** Hungarian People's Republic (1949–1989).
- **Population:** Approximately 9.2 million inhabitants.
- **Geographic Coordinates:** Approximately 47° N, 19° E.
- **Notable Political Party:** Civic Democratic Party (founded in 1944).
- **Literary Society:** Hungarian Writers' Union (established in 1945).
- **Related Organizations:** Danube Commission (established in 1948).
- **Wikipedia Title:** Second Hungarian Republic.
- **Wikidata ID:** Q940741.
- **Sitelink Count:** 34 (across various language editions).

## FAQs
**What was the political structure of the Second Hungarian Republic?**
The Second Hungarian Republic was a democratic republic with a parliamentary system. It was established after the end of World War II and was characterized by a multi-party political landscape, including the Civic Democratic Party and the Hungarian Writers' Union.

**How did the Second Hungarian Republic dissolve?**
The Second Hungarian Republic was dissolved on August 20, 1949, when the Hungarian Workers' Party, led by Mátyás Rákosi, overthrew the democratically elected government and established the Hungarian People's Republic.

**What was the currency used in the Second Hungarian Republic?**
The primary currency used in the Second Hungarian Republic was the Hungarian adópengő, introduced on January 1, 1946. It replaced the Hungarian pengő, which had been used from 1927 to 1946.

**Which notable figures were associated with the Second Hungarian Republic?**
Notable figures associated with the Second Hungarian Republic include András Róna-Tas, a Hungarian historian; László Tőth, an Australian geologist known for vandalism; and Árpád Joó, a Hungarian-born conductor.

**What was the relationship between the Second Hungarian Republic and the Danube Commission?**
The Danube Commission, established in 1948, was an organization that played a role in the governance of the Second Hungarian Republic. It was headquartered in Budapest and Vienna.

## Why It Matters
The Second Hungarian Republic holds historical significance as a brief democratic interlude in Central Europe following World War II. Its establishment marked a transition from the monarchy of the Kingdom of Hungary to a republic, but its short-lived existence was overshadowed by the rapid shift to socialist governance. The republic's political landscape, including the Civic Democratic Party and the Hungarian Writers' Union, reflects the broader democratic movements of the post-war era. Its dissolution in 1949 underscores the broader geopolitical struggles and the eventual dominance of communist regimes in Eastern Europe. The Second Hungarian Republic remains a key chapter in the complex history of Hungary and Central Europe, illustrating the interplay between democratic aspirations and authoritarian control.

## Notable For
- **Brief Democratic Experiment:** Served as a short-lived democratic republic between 1946 and 1949.
- **Multi-Party Political Landscape:** Included notable political parties like the Civic Democratic Party and the Hungarian Writers' Union.
- **Currency Reform:** Introduced the Hungarian adópengő, replacing the Hungarian pengő.
- **Geopolitical Transition:** Marked the end of the Kingdom of Hungary and the beginning of the Hungarian People's Republic.
- **Cultural and Literary Influence:** Supported institutions like the Hungarian Writers' Union, fostering literary and cultural development.
- **Danube Commission Involvement:** Engaged with the Danube Commission, an organization established in 1948.
- **Notable Historical Figures:** Associated with figures like András Róna-Tas, László Tőth, and Árpád Joó.

## Body

### Historical Context and Establishment
The Second Hungarian Republic was established on February 1, 1946, following the dissolution of the Kingdom of Hungary. The republic was a democratic state that sought to rebuild Hungary after the devastation of World War II. It was characterized by a multi-party political system, including the Civic Democratic Party, which had been founded in 1944. The republic's capital was Budapest, which had been the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary since 1873.

### Political Structure and Governance
The Second Hungarian Republic had a parliamentary system, with a president and a prime minister as the heads of state and government. The republic was marked by political instability and economic challenges, which contributed to its short lifespan. The Hungarian Writers' Union, established in 1945, played a role in the cultural and literary life of the republic. The Danube Commission, established in 1948, was an organization that had a presence in Budapest and Vienna, reflecting the republic's engagement with international governance.

### Economic and Social Developments
The Second Hungarian Republic introduced the Hungarian adópengő as its currency on January 1, 1946, replacing the Hungarian pengő. This currency reform was part of the republic's efforts to stabilize its economy and rebuild its infrastructure. The republic's population was approximately 9.2 million inhabitants, reflecting the challenges of post-war recovery.

### Dissolution and Legacy
The Second Hungarian Republic was dissolved on August 20, 1949, when the Hungarian Workers' Party, led by Mátyás Rákosi, overthrew the democratically elected government. This event marked the end of the republic and the beginning of the Hungarian People's Republic, a socialist state that would last until 1989. The legacy of the Second Hungarian Republic includes its brief democratic experiment, its cultural and literary contributions, and its role in the broader geopolitical struggles of the post-war era.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013