Soviet Diplomatic Efforts to Prevent Hungary’s Alignment with Germany in World War II (1939– 1941)
The history of Soviet-Hungarian interactions from the establishment of diplomatic relations until Hungary joined World War II alongside the Axis powers offers valuable insights into the dynamics between small and great powers, as well as the efforts of small European states, particularly Hungary, to...
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| Language: | English |
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MGIMO University Press
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Vestnik MGIMO-Universiteta |
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| Online Access: | https://www.vestnik.mgimo.ru/jour/article/view/3567 |
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| author | V. F. Pryakhin |
| author_facet | V. F. Pryakhin |
| author_sort | V. F. Pryakhin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The history of Soviet-Hungarian interactions from the establishment of diplomatic relations until Hungary joined World War II alongside the Axis powers offers valuable insights into the dynamics between small and great powers, as well as the efforts of small European states, particularly Hungary, to navigate their national interests in foreign policy amidst Nazi Germany's encroachments. This period was defined by two primary factors: the Hungarian political elite, led by Miklós Horthy, sought to join a quasi-"crusade" against Comintern Soviet Russia, while simultaneously striving to avoid deep involvement in major conflicts between the great powers. This dual approach aligned with the policies of Hitler's Western appeasers, who aimed to redirect German expansion eastward. In this geopolitical scenario, American and Western European actors (including Great Britain and France) were relegated to the role of observers, anticipating a prolonged conflict between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union that would drain both. Hungary, as strategized by Budapest, hoped to secure a position among these observers, avoiding direct conflict participation, and to later engage in territorial reconfiguration post-World War II. However, the reality in Europe by the early 1940s diverged significantly, with Western powers (the USA and Great Britain) unable to redirect Hitler's global domination ambitions eastward. Facing an existential threat, these powers were compelled to enter the war. Against this backdrop, Soviet diplomacy endeavored to deter Hungary's alliance with Nazi Germany. Although ultimately unsuccessful, examining these diplomatic efforts offers valuable lessons in the context of the current evolution towards a multipolar world. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7bf68e46ea6847ee904fb78ddd104d2c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2071-8160 2541-9099 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MGIMO University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Vestnik MGIMO-Universiteta |
| spelling | doaj-art-7bf68e46ea6847ee904fb78ddd104d2c2025-01-30T12:16:17ZengMGIMO University PressVestnik MGIMO-Universiteta2071-81602541-90992024-01-01166699110.24833/2071-8160-2023-6-93-69-912571Soviet Diplomatic Efforts to Prevent Hungary’s Alignment with Germany in World War II (1939– 1941)V. F. Pryakhin0MGIMO UniversityThe history of Soviet-Hungarian interactions from the establishment of diplomatic relations until Hungary joined World War II alongside the Axis powers offers valuable insights into the dynamics between small and great powers, as well as the efforts of small European states, particularly Hungary, to navigate their national interests in foreign policy amidst Nazi Germany's encroachments. This period was defined by two primary factors: the Hungarian political elite, led by Miklós Horthy, sought to join a quasi-"crusade" against Comintern Soviet Russia, while simultaneously striving to avoid deep involvement in major conflicts between the great powers. This dual approach aligned with the policies of Hitler's Western appeasers, who aimed to redirect German expansion eastward. In this geopolitical scenario, American and Western European actors (including Great Britain and France) were relegated to the role of observers, anticipating a prolonged conflict between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union that would drain both. Hungary, as strategized by Budapest, hoped to secure a position among these observers, avoiding direct conflict participation, and to later engage in territorial reconfiguration post-World War II. However, the reality in Europe by the early 1940s diverged significantly, with Western powers (the USA and Great Britain) unable to redirect Hitler's global domination ambitions eastward. Facing an existential threat, these powers were compelled to enter the war. Against this backdrop, Soviet diplomacy endeavored to deter Hungary's alliance with Nazi Germany. Although ultimately unsuccessful, examining these diplomatic efforts offers valuable lessons in the context of the current evolution towards a multipolar world.https://www.vestnik.mgimo.ru/jour/article/view/3567hungarian foreign policyworld war iisoviet-hungarian relationsreturn of the banners of the hungarian revolutionary army of 1848–1849bombing of kosice on june 261941 |
| spellingShingle | V. F. Pryakhin Soviet Diplomatic Efforts to Prevent Hungary’s Alignment with Germany in World War II (1939– 1941) Vestnik MGIMO-Universiteta hungarian foreign policy world war ii soviet-hungarian relations return of the banners of the hungarian revolutionary army of 1848–1849 bombing of kosice on june 26 1941 |
| title | Soviet Diplomatic Efforts to Prevent Hungary’s Alignment with Germany in World War II (1939– 1941) |
| title_full | Soviet Diplomatic Efforts to Prevent Hungary’s Alignment with Germany in World War II (1939– 1941) |
| title_fullStr | Soviet Diplomatic Efforts to Prevent Hungary’s Alignment with Germany in World War II (1939– 1941) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Soviet Diplomatic Efforts to Prevent Hungary’s Alignment with Germany in World War II (1939– 1941) |
| title_short | Soviet Diplomatic Efforts to Prevent Hungary’s Alignment with Germany in World War II (1939– 1941) |
| title_sort | soviet diplomatic efforts to prevent hungary s alignment with germany in world war ii 1939 1941 |
| topic | hungarian foreign policy world war ii soviet-hungarian relations return of the banners of the hungarian revolutionary army of 1848–1849 bombing of kosice on june 26 1941 |
| url | https://www.vestnik.mgimo.ru/jour/article/view/3567 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT vfpryakhin sovietdiplomaticeffortstopreventhungarysalignmentwithgermanyinworldwarii19391941 |