Körmöczi Katalin szerk.: Historical Exhibition of the Hungarian National Museum 3 - From the End of the Turkish Wars to the Millennium - The history of Hungary in the 18th and 19th centuries (Budapest, 2001)

ROOM 13. Culture and National Consciousness at the End of the 18th Century and in the First Half of the 19th Century (Eszter Aczél)

ROOM 13 Culture and National Consciousness at the End of the 18th Century and in the First Half of the 19th Century The profound changes of the first half of the 19th century and the events of 184849 were rooted in the economic, social, political, and intellectual life of 18thcentury Europe. Enlightenment ideas proclaimed liberalism, freedom of thought, rational cognition of nature and society, liberty, equality, and fraternity. In parallel with bourgeois development, Latin was displaced by the national language in most European countries. The new ideas found an echo in the middle and eastern part of the continent, Hungary included. In this region the demand for economic and social renewal was accompanied by national endeavours, and aimed at the creation of a national language and culture. From the end of the 18th century onwards, a language renewal movement grew up in Hungary, and in the second half of the 18th century and first half of the 19th century Hungarian cultural institutions played a role in shaping society. The culture of this time is recalled by relics of education, Hungarian achievements in the modern sciences, institutions representing national culture, and outstanding personalities in these spheres. EDUCATION AND SCHOOLING The 18th century was a time which saw the sciences gain ground. The cradle of the new scientific findings was the reform of education and schools. In schooling, the reforms introduced by enlightened absolutism brought about a significant change. Using the wealth of the Jesuits whom she suppressed in her dominions in 1773, Maria Theresia created a study and university fund. Later on, in