Dénes Dienes: History of the Reformed Church Collég in Sárospatak (Sárospatak, 2013)
SECONDARY SCHOOL AND COLLEGE-THE COLLEGE AND THE DEVELOPING, MODERN EDUCATION SYSTEM - Environmental conditions - The evolution of state-governed education policy and the development of the education system
SECONDARY SCHOOL AND COLLEGE -THE COLLEGE AND THE DEVELOPING, MODERN EDUCATION SYSTEM ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS The evolution of state-governed education policy and the development of the education system L osing the armed struggle for independence of 1848-49 had the consequence of slowing down the emergence and establishment of the middle class but, in the long run, could not effectively stop the process. The dismantling of feudal structures continued both on the economic and social level, although only partially in the latter. In the 1850s, however, Habsburg neo-absolutism made a marked distinction between its support for economic modernization and the guarantee of political independence, not even wanting to hear of the latter, thereby stymying the veritable strengthening of the middle class and the advancement of an emerging civil society. In the interests of protecting the values of its particular tradition, the noble class was the main driving force behind the active resistance mounted against government policy, thus it was this sector of society which viewed the Compromise of 1867 with the Habsburgs as its greatest triumph. This arrangement resulted in a lengthy and strange duality which defined the era. Even though both economic and intellectual activity were infused by faith in progress, the bottom line for society was set by the comprising nature of the Compromise: in exchange for progress both parties accepted to retain some of the basic elements of feudalism (e.g., the inviolability of the emperor and his authoritative and veritable power). As a consequence, the ensuing decades were characterized by developments and trends of a hybrid and odd nature and, as time progressed, it became increasingly evident that the behaviour of the gentry class was a serious impediment to the evolution of a middle class layer of society. On one hand, it is an undeniable fact that the unified Budapest underwent a dizzying rate of development as the new capital of the country and similar, unprecedented development transpired in rural counties, towns and intellectual centres as well. Evidence of a rapidly growing community and prosperous economy was very visible as the manufacturing industry broadened, the erecting of infrastructure
