[1][2] The revolution was brought about by widespread protests as World War I wore on, from which Mihály Károlyi emerged as the leader of the newly proclaimed First Hungarian People's Republic.

However, there had been differing opinions over the future dismemberment of Austria-Hungary (the 14 points of Woodrow Wilson in January 1918 had demanded only "autonomous development" of nations).

After abortive attempts to negotiate a separate peace, plans among Entente leaders increasingly favoured the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy.

He changed his mind following the advice of prominent Hungarian politicians like Gyula Andrássy (then newly appointed Joint Foreign Minister).

On the evening of Wekerle's resignation on 23 October 1918, the Hungarian National Council was established from opposition forces, most prominent among them Mihály Károlyi and his Party of Independence and '48.

By this time, protests had erupted in Budapest's streets in favour of a National Council, and demanding Károlyi as Prime Minister.

Although he was firmly set against the National Council, his forces quickly deserted him, rendering him powerless to stop the revolution.

Notably, on the initiative of Béla Szántó, they blocked the transport of two militarty companies from Eastern Railway Station, who then turned to the revolution and looted the train for weapons.

The Emperor relented, nominated Károlyi as Prime Minister, and asked him to form a government with the parties of the National Council.

Although the revolution in Budapest was relatively bloodless, a wave of violence and looting swept across the countryside as returning soldiers wrecked havoc on representatives of the old order.

Unrest continued throughout November and December, and in many places order was only restored by the arrival of Czech, Romanian, Serbian or French troops.

Although the Károlyi government initially didn't declare independence, the collapse of Habsburg power in Austria made the distinction meaningless.

This National Council would serve as a provisional legislature throughout Károlyi's reign, as free elections would ultimately never be held.

The Hungarian Royal Honvéd army still had more than 1,400,000 soldiers[9][10] when Mihály Károlyi was announced as prime minister of Hungary.

Károlyi yielded to U.S. President Woodrow Wilson's demand for pacifism by ordering the disarmament of the Hungarian army.

Soviet Hungary soon collapsed due to internal discontent and a Romanian invasion and, after a brief revival of the People's Republic, the monarchy was restored, now as an independent country.