Positive And Negative Influences Of The Hunagrian Empire

The Hunagrian Empire went through several times with both positive and negative influences. One of the most significant influences includes, Empress Elisabeth, “Sisi.” Though she was known for staying out of the public eye, she still greatly impacted Hungary, deemed as a figure of respect to this day. Elisabeth accompanied her mother and to Bad Ischl, where they met their cousin, 23-year-old Emperor Franz Josef, in 1853 when Elisabeth was sixteen. Although Helene was supposed to be the bride, Franz Josef instead became infatuated with Elisabeth, and eight months later, on April 24, 1854, married her in the St. Augustine Church of Vienna. Despite the lengthy preparations and teachings Elisabeth received for her new position as Empress of
Austria, she could not have been prepared her for the rigidity of the court, or the disapproval of her mother-in-law, Archduchess Sophie (Owens). Elisabeth, because of her age, was obviously quite childish for this position. She was born into an unconventionally relaxed Bavarian royal family, which allowed her to enjoy a rather carefree childhood. After becoming a member of the far more formally rigid Habsburg royal family, she was required to live in an environment that made her miserable, a feeling that only intensified with the untimely death of her daughter (Gura). Although the court etiquette and expectations made her feel increasingly trapped and confined, Franz Josef remained unwavering in his love and devotion for his wife. Eventually, Elisabeth began to travel, each time farther and farther away from Austria, seeking any form of escape. This being said, Empress Elisabeth’s constant travel did not impact the work she did for Hungary, as she remained focus on the cause of the Hungarian people. Her efforts and interest in the betterment of Hungary also impacted the decision for the Hungarian Compromise. Her love and devotion towards Hungary began when she first visited there in 1857, with her husband and two daughters, which impacted her deeply. During her visit, she found much needed relief from the constraints of Austrian court life, which increased her love of Hungary. She also fell in love with the nation because of its exhibited independence, unlike the archduchess, who despised the Hungarians. Hungary reached her, causing her to develop a proud, steadfast love for the people of this land. Hungary’s characteristics caused Sisi to feel strong ties with the people, a feeling that was mutual. Although Elisabeth did not delve much into politics, she played an instrumental role in the negotiations that resulted in the Dual Monarchy of 1867, ensuring that Hungary obtained equal rights. That year Emperor Franz Joseph was declared King of Hungary while Sisi was proclaimed the nation’s queen. Along with this, she learned Hungarian, increasing her connection to the country (Gura). As Sisi became adored by her Austrian subjects, she became and even more loved by her Hungarian subjects. Although some of the subjects were displeased by Sisi’s obsessive beauty habits and distaste for being pregnant, compared to other female monarchs, Empress Elisabeth did not encounter dislike often. Past female monarchs were far more divisive, and often did not produce any heirs, whereas produced four. Sisi also did not yearn for publicity despite the fact that she was still loved. Her respect as a humanitarian and admiration as a beauty, contributed to her respect as well. As seen, Elisabeth’s marriage meant that she eventually became Queen of Hungary. After falling in love with Hungary throughout her travels there, another one of her goals and priorities was to encourage the people there to accept the idea of an alliance with Austria (Owens). By learning Hungarian language, aided her in working with the Hungarian Gyula, Count Andrássy, ensuring the alliance was fair and just for both parties. This fairness was a constant characteristic, making her a unique ruler. Sisi met the revolutionary Count Gyula Andrássy on one of her trips to Hungary. He was a man that had a defining influence on her relationship to Hungary. With his assistance, Elisabeth was crowned in Budapest in 1867. This being said, she also ensured that Count Gyula Andrássy was the ruler, which was a groundbreaking moment, serving as the beginning of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, also known as the “K.u.K Monarchy” (Owens). As time passed, Empress Elisabeth’s deep affection and devotion for Hungary, and its culture, did not wane.
Her frequent visits there allowed her to truly enjoy the more relaxed atmosphere. Escaping her often restless and extravagant environment in Hungary made Sisi even more apt to visit there, continuing with her work. Because Sisi knew what it was like to be stripped of her authentic and original self, she was able to empathize and relate with the Hungarian people’s pursuit for liberty, all while longing for her own. She was able to constantly advocate for Hungary and the rights of its people, by speaking with her regal husband. Her devotion and passion for this country were displayed in both her political and private engagements. Against the will of the Viennese court, Sisi even used her personal engagement to assist Hungary to its former condition of 1848. This action became a milestone in world history
(Owens). Sisi was also an active and accomplished equestrian. Her love of equestrianism made her popular with the upper class society of Hungary. She spent much of her time at Gödöllő Palace, her country estate just outside of Pest. Sisi also chose to surround herself with, “Hungarian ladies-in-waiting, who conversed with her in Hungarian, and employed a Magyar chamberlain as well” (Cone). Her dedication to the sport prompted her to start a riding school in Hungary, spending hours learning to train the horses she had such a passion for. Many of the contributions Sisi made for Hungary derived from personal experiences and connections. As it had been seen, she suffered from periods of depression, which she believed was enhanced by the Wittelbach temperament. Due to this, she felt a great amount of compassion and love for the sick and mentally ill, prompting her to visit the hospitals and mental asylums. Elisabeth’s political beliefs aligned with the liberal atmosphere of late-nineteenth- century Europe. She was not alone in utilizing her position of power to further her own political agenda. For example, Queen Margherita of Savoy also used her public image to enhance her husband’s regime (Brice). In Austria, Elisabeth’s devotion towards creating a public image for herself was far more delicate. She was a young queen that was forced to abide with the increasingly nationalist character of the Habsburg realms. This being said, she continued to endorse the campaign, led by the moderate wing of the Hungarian resistance movement. This allowed Elisabeth to help ensure the continuity of the Empire despite the beginning of revolution and territorial decline. Empress Elisabeth was especially able to serve as an advocate for the Hungarian moderates’ agenda of reconciliation and compromise because of the significant influence she held over her husband.
According to Max Falk, editor of Hungary’s leading German language periodical, Sisi’s political scheme stressed Austro-Hungarian rapprochement despite of the increased hostility. She was able to identify an element of strength for the Habsburg dynasty (Falk). Falk also notes how the Empress “anticipated and acknowledged the strategic significance of the Hungarian Crownlands” (Falk). Gyula Andrássy, the renowned Hungarian politician and eventual Foreign Minister of Austria-Hungary, worked with Elisabeth to lobby for the Emperor in favor of national unification. Andrássy, along with and his more moderate supporters also supported Hungarian independence within the Habsburg Empire. As it was seen above, Elisabeth had a strong impact on Emperor Joseph, but did not have the ability or power to personally enact legislation or pass decrees (VanDenmark). However, Elisabeth still managed to appease the political and cultural turmoil that lurked over the Hungarian territories for quite a bit of time. This appeasement inspired a new sense of nationalism in the defeated
people. The losses in the Austro-Prussian War were detrimental, but afterwards, Franz Joseph was determined to regain security for Austria in Europe’s eyes. In order to do so, he recognized that he had to have Hungarian appeasement. Again, Andrássy and his allies’ schema, served as an inspiration for the Austrian Empire, which would be restyled and reorganized into the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This was a dual monarchy that allowed Hungary to have a large amount of independence. The Austro-Hungarian unification was consummated on June 8, 1867 when Emperor Joseph and Empress Elisabeth of Austria were officially recognized as the King and Queen of Hungary. The Hungarian people reacted happily to this, greeting Elisabeth with cheers as she entered the church with her husband by her side. Sisi’s gown matched her personality The compromise and coronation of Elisabeth accomplished a marked shift in Hungarian political loyalties (VanDenmark). Aside from the political movements and impacts Sisi made, she also made cultural differences, particularly in fashion. Since the emergence of the Hungarian Reform Era, Hungarian patriots predicted that the national costume would finally come about on the international level some day. It is ironic that, ultimately, Empress Elisabeth would serve as the catalyst for the recognition of the Hungarian costume by the West. Her coronation, particularly, was distinct to new Hungarian fashion. The Hungarian costumes merged with the popular French styles of the day, along with subtle Hungarian designs. Her dress consisted of lace, fine fabrics, and jewels. It had intricate velvet parts were complemented by satin puffed sleeves secured with oversized bows, and the skirt and train were made up of duchesse satin. This was a heavy, durable, and easily draped textile used often by designers in many evening gowns. Empress Elisabeth’s entire gown was complimented by “a magnificent lace apron, a design motif characteristic of the traditional Hungarian costume” (VanDenmark). Elisabeth’s gown served as a garment of political and cultural symbolism, which clarified the Empress’s role in championing Hungarian liberation within the Empire. Her dedication to Magyar culture, along with her unwavering support of Hungarian self-determination made her an imperative ally in the fight for political autonomy. The gown Elisabeth wore at her coronation served as a physical exhibition of her crucial role in post-1848 Hungarian politics. A newspaper wrote about Elisabeth’s dress, as well as reasserting the Empress’ continued dedication to Hungarian culture. During this time, the Hungarian political climate began to shift into a less heated atmosphere, making politicized fashionism unnecessary, which was a vital change in Hungarian culture. Although some people continued to wear traditional garments to celebrate special occasions, clothing started to refine connotative meanings, especially as “the Hungarians secured political and economic control over the eastern portion of the newly-formed Dual Monarchy” (VanDenmark). On September 10th, Italian Anarchist, Luigi Lucheni, stabbed 1898 Elisabeth in Geneva Switzerland. Elisabeth had thought that Lucheni simply bumped into her, not realizing that he stabbed her. As she continued to move onto her boat, she collapsed. By the time others had realized she was stabbed, it was too late. Her death tormented Joseph, as well as her subjects, but everyone ensured that her legacy would live on. For instance, Franz Joseph founded the Order of Elizabeth in Sisi’s memory. There is also a monument to her on the promenade in Territet, the town is between Montreux and Chateau Chillon. Other tributes include large amounts of chapels named after Elisabeth, often to connect her to Saint Elisabeth. Various parks were named after her as well.