Kossuth and Gorgey: The Political-Military Relationship in the Hungarian War of Independence, 1848-1849
Abstract
In the spring of 1849, the rebel Hungarians defeated the Austrian army and liberated their country. The leaders of this struggle were Louis Kossuth, one of Hungary's most brilliant statesmen, and Arthur Gorgey, one of Hungary's most talented generals. Franz Joseph I of Austria begged for help to Nicholas I, the Russian Tsar, who, in the name of the Holy Alliance, sent 200,000 soldiers to put down the Hungarian revolution. The two great patriots, Kossuth and Gorgey, had different strategies for waging a war against such heavy odds. The politician intervened into military operations while the general wanted to dictate national policy. They clashed when Hungary had no time for the luxury of internal conflicts. The Hungarian War of Independence did not fail due to domestic challenges, but it was eventually defeated by the combined Russo-Austrian offensive. This thesis presents a concise history of the Hungarian War of Independence, with a focus on the relationship between Governor-President Louis Kossuth and General Arthur Gorgey.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 12, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA501980
Entities
People
- Janos Noszko
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College