Baják László Ihász István: The Hungarian National Museum History Exhibition Guide 4 - The short century of survival (1900-1990) (Budapest, 2008)

Room 16. From the Belle Epoch to the Collapse of the Monarchy (1900-1919). László Baják

largest and most imposing parliament buildings. The neo-Gothic palace, completed in 1904 with no expense spared, was intended to represent Hungary's self-confidence and prestige as well as its ancient constitutionalism. It gave rise to the political storm at the beginning of the century surrounding the matter of the common Austro-Hungarian Army. The Opposition was only prepared to vote in favour of the demands of the Monarchy to develop the armed forces if there were certain concessions for Hungary. (In contrast with the other powers, the Monarchy maintained a relatively small armed force.) However, Franz Joseph refused any call for changes (for instance, the introduction of commands in the Hungarian language), something to which he was entitled in the spirit of Compromise Law. The Opposition reacted to the refusal with obstruction; that is, they used every possible means to prevent the governing party from enacting legislation. Speeches of interminable length, procedural motions designed to slow up work and parliamentary disturbances soon paralysed any attempts at making legislation and caused a cabinet crisis. To end the crisis, in 1903 Count István Tisza was entrusted with the prime ministerial post. Tisza had inherited great authority and 2,000 "holds" (2,840 acres) of land from his father, Kálmán Tisza, who earlier had been prime minister for 15 years. As a dedicated believer, in dualism he was a -4 !# r,