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Miklosh HorthyRegent of Hungary
Date of Birth: 18.06.1868
Country:  Hungary |
Content:
Miklós Horthy - Biography
Miklós Horthy (1868-1957) was a Hungarian admiral and politician who served as the regent of Hungary from 1920 until 1944. Born on June 18, 1868 in Kenderes, Hungary, Horthy attended the Naval Academy in Fiume (now Rijeka, Croatia) in 1882. He held various command positions in the navy and commanded the ambassadorial yacht "Taurus" in Istanbul during the Young Turk Revolution of 1908-1909.
During the First World War, Horthy served in the Austro-Hungarian Navy and commanded the military cruiser "Novara" in December 1914. In January 1918, he was appointed as the Chief Commander of the Austro-Hungarian Navy. After the collapse of the empire, Horthy took responsibility for transferring the fleet to the Yugoslav National Council on October 31, 1918.
Regency and Political Career
In June 1919, Horthy was appointed as the Minister of Defense in the parallel government formed by Mihály Károlyi in Szeged. He left this position in July but continued to serve as the Commander-in-Chief of the national army. On November 16, 1919, Horthy's army occupied Budapest. On March 1, 1920, the newly elected parliament proclaimed him as regent until the fate of the crown was determined.
Under the Treaty of Trianon in June 1920, 72% of Hungary's territory and 64% of its population were transferred to neighboring states. For several years, Horthy remained relatively uninvolved in domestic politics. However, in the 1930s, amidst the escalating international tensions, he was increasingly forced to participate in political life, relying on the powers granted to him by the Act of Regency.
Political Stance and World War II
Horthy aimed to resist German pressure and maintain favorable relations with the West. While holding firmly conservative positions, he gradually became the leader of a broad unofficial front of various political forces, ranging from extreme conservatives to social democrats, in the fight against right-wing radicals. However, he was forced to make concessions to Germany step by step.
In September 1944, Soviet troops entered Hungarian territory, and after several attempts at separate negotiations with the Western Allies, Horthy sent a mission to Moscow for peace talks. On October 15, he announced his request for an armistice. The Germans immediately forced Horthy to resign and interned him in Germany.
After being released by the Allies in 1945, Horthy settled in Estoril, Portugal. He passed away on February 9, 1957, in Estoril.
