Turkey and the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy

Steve Torok, a Hungarian, comments on our postings commending Kemal Ataturk for having saved Turkey from dismemberment: "Unfortunately there was no Ataturk in the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, so the allies did break it up, with similar consequences on history textbooks in the successor states!"

My comment: Much as I admire President Wilson, the break up of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in the name of self-determination was a tragedy. It was much more benevolent than what succeeded it. It was the German recognition of Slovenia which triggered the breakup of Yugoslavia, and Germany will become the dominant power in the Balkans, so we are almost back to the status quo ante. Steve is right about the history textbooks. A comparison of the textbooks used in the present states would provide an excellent example of the comparisons we seek. World War One also demonstrates how a young terrorist (now a national hero for the Serbs) can provoke a worldwide tragedy.

Ronald Hilton - 6/9/01