VI. The World Wars and the Interwar Period, 1914–1945 > C. Europe, 1919–1945 > 14. Hungary > 1935, April 11
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
 
1935, April 11
 
In the parliamentary elections the opposition groups polled 1,041,000 votes as against 908,000 for the government, but the intricate electoral system enabled the government to retain 166 seats in the chamber as against 25 for the Agrarians, 14 for the Christian Socialists, and 12 for the Social Democrats.  1
Electoral “success” encouraged Gömbös to launch a comprehensive social and cultural movement. Following his desire for a corporatist state, he envisioned national youth, social, and athletic associations, paramilitary organizations, and a cultural movement. A few writers obliged by creating the New Intellectual Front, hoping to enlist the aid of a new “populist” (népiek) group of intellectuals (Zoltán Szabó, Géza Féja, Ferenc Erdei, Gyula Illyés, László Németh, Imre Kovács, József Darvas). This attempt failed, however.  2
 
June 1
 
Count Bethlen and his followers joined the most important opposition group, the Agrarian Party of Tibor Eckardt. This party resented the dictatorial methods of Gömbös and suspected him of designs against the constitution. At the same time it advocated land reform on behalf of the 3 million landless peasants, and electoral reform as a stage on the road toward real democracy.  3
 
Oct. 6
 
Death of Premier Gömbös, who was succeeded by Kálmán Darányi. Darányi tried to follow a somewhat more conciliatory course. Hungary's position became steadily worse through international developments. Under the circumstances, Darányi, during 1937, drew closer to Austria, and both Austria and Hungary began to seek contact with the nations of the Little Entente. This policy of necessity estranged Germany (Hungary's most important customer) and was vigorously opposed by the Hungarian Nazis.  4
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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