The History of the Twentieth Century 419 Millions of Spectators
10 snips
Sep 28, 2025 The podcast delves into Hungary's secret peace negotiations with the Allies during World War II and the resulting German occupation. It highlights the tragic fate of Hungary's Jewish population, detailing rapid deportations to Auschwitz. The discussion includes failed negotiations, Horthy's hesitant actions, and the international response that ultimately led to a halt in deportations. Additionally, the heroic efforts of diplomats like Raoul Wallenberg to save lives are examined, alongside the chilling context of the Holocaust and the impacts of wartime politics.
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Hungary's Quiet Peace Overtures
- Hungarian leaders sought a negotiated exit after Stalingrad fearing an Allied Balkan landing would replay 1918's collapse.
- British and American diplomats initially refused direct talks, preferring consultations with Moscow and caution about postwar borders.
Hungary's Large Jewish Population Shaped Diplomacy
- By 1943 Hungary still housed about 800,000 Jews, the largest Jewish community in Axis-controlled Europe.
- Allied concerns about borders, Czechoslovak and Yugoslav claims, and Soviet priorities complicated any lenient treatment of Hungary.
Klesheim Meeting And The Fake Air Raid
- Hitler summoned Admiral Horthy, browbeat him for hours, and simulated an air raid to prevent his departure.
- Horthy capitulated, returned to Budapest with SS Reichskommissar Edmund Fesenmayer, and a German occupation followed immediately.
