THE

RÁKÓCZI By Anna Virág

FREEDOM Németh

FIGHT
FERENC RÁKÓCZI II

 Father: Ferenc Rákóczi I

 Step-father: Imre Thököly
 Mother: Ilona Zrínyi
 Was raised in Vienna
o during a visit in Hungary, he befriended Miklós Bercsényi:
o helped him recognise the unbearable situation
o acquainted him with the grievances of Hungarian society
SPRING AND SUMMER OF 1703
In the Appeal from Brezan
 Rákóczi called all Hungarians
 Nobles and commoners
 To join the revolt against Habsburg oppression

’Cum Deo pro Patria et Libertate’

 Armed soldiers lead by Tamás Esze joined him
 Miklós Bercsényi brought French and Polish mercenaries

Rákóczi issued the Patent of Vetés (union of interests between serfs and nobles)
IN 1704

1 2
Sándor Károlyi (one The French king (the
of the biggest Sun King) sent regular
landlords) joined him financial support
3 4
Rákóczi was elected The kuruc forces were
Prince of Transylvania defeated by Eugene of
• International Savoy at
acknowledgement for him Nagyszombat
Kuruc general, János Bottyán, conquered
Transdanubia
Diet at Szécsény:
IN 1705

Rákóczi tried to initiate peace talks with

the new Habsburg ruler: Joseph I
AS A RESULT
Rákóczi was elected commanding Prince of Hungary

He controlled foreign affairs, religion, finance and military affairs

Hungary was declared a confederation of the estates

On Rákóczi’s proposal the dethronement of the Habsburg dynasty was claimed

Great failure: serfdom was not abolished

Changes in foreign affairs: New ally: Peter I of Russia

IN 1708
At the battle of Trencsény the kuruc army suffered crucial defeat

This showed the decline of the national cooperation and let to the advance
of the Habsburgs

Rákóczi called the Diet of Sárospatak:

• They abolished serfdom

It was too late: all layers of the society were tired of the long war
 Last defeat of the kuruc army at Romhány
The main aim changed:
 They were to conclude a favourable peace
IN 1710 treaty with the Habsburgs
Rákóczi gave full powers to Sándor Károlyi to
start peace talks
  Károlyi signed the Peace Treaty of
Szatmár
 The kuruc forces put down arms on the
IN 1711 field of Majtény on 1st May
It was a compromise which contained
favourable terms for Hungary
 Amnesty was given to all the rebels on
condition:
The Hungarian nobles had to swear loyalty to
the Habsburg ruler
 Landlords regained their lands
 The Commission Neoacquisition was THE
dissolved
 Privileges of the nobility returned: they had
TERMS
the right to
elect a palatine
Have a diet

 Religious toleration was granted

RESULT

The Habsburgs were able to stop Hungarian resistance

They secured the support of the Hungarian nobility for a long time

Rákóczi did not accept the peace terms

He left the country Settled down in Turkey, Rodostó Died in Exile
THANK YOU
FOR YOUR
ATTENTION!
SOURCE  History 10 Book