The age of dualism and the Dual Empire

1. The new Dual Empire

- 1867: compromise between hungarians and Franz Joseph -> Austria and Hungary are part of an
empire (by rights they are equal),

- Franz Joseph: hungarian king and austrian kaiser at the same time (head of both countires)

- common: foreign, defense, financial; everything else is private – like the national assembly; first
prime minister is appointed: Gyula Andrássy

2. The quick economical changes:

- great care was taken about the improvement of Hungary’s economy: mostly railroads were built ->
was beneficial to mining and heavy industry (factories, steel, iron, coal);

- train -> transportation of grains and commerce itself is growing;

- state: has a say in economy: tax-free enterprises, and railroads become state-owned (predecessor
of MÁV, Magyar Királyi Államvasút ~ Hungarian Royal Railways) – this was made real by Baross Gábor
(the iron minsiter)

3. Changes in agriculture:

- Tisza: is getting regulated (straight instead of many twists and turns) -> more land to use -> more
grain;

- animals: housing (in a safe and protected place) – new types of cow, pig and sheep: more meat,
milk and wool – but more prone to sickness – more care is needed, but earns more money

4. Improvement of economy:

- important: mills (grain -> flour) ~ many mills, all over the country, flour is one of the best in the
world;

- machine factories: mostly agricultural machines and trains; the materials needed for it are given
from the mines of the empire (coal, iron ore);

- many new factories -> tax is low, state supports it,

=> but, all in all, Hungary is still the strongest in agrarian production, even though the heavy industry
is better than most of the southern neighbours

5. Inventors and inventions:

- second industrial revolution – mostly electrical and car-related, with heavy industry;
communication: phone switchboard (Puskás Tivadar and Ferenc)
6. Capital of the nation

- Szécheny: Hungary needs a new capital: Pest-Buda is perfect for it,

- most of reform age: cultural capital with some economical and business-related too

- by 1867, the rule-making is taking place here besides being a traffic interchange;

- 1873: Budapest is born: Pest, Buda and Óbuda are merged into the new capital city

7. Urbanisation in Budapest:

- Budapest is small and rural compared to Vienna at the time -> changes are needed!

- succesfull: european metropolis: water and drainage system, public lights, underground train (2nd
of the world!!), tram lines, phone lines; grand buildings for the increasing population and avenues

- banks, theatres, cinemas, universities, Opera, cafés, and several opportunities for social life

8. The capital of differences

- the very rich and the very poor live close by,

- many districts have distinct functions:

- Castle district: political bank buildings.

- Andrássy avenue: rented palaces, villas and luxury homes ~ aristocracy is more and more
willing to live here;

- poor people: mostly working:

- women: as household hands and servants, men: mostly as paid workers;

- bad living conditions: small homes, only bedroom and kitchen, or only a rented bed;