PresidentWarren G. Harding called for theUnited States Congress to create a peace treaty between the United States and Hungary on 2 July 1921. Negotiations started in Budapest on 9 July 1921, and there were no difficulties as there was no significant conflict between the two sides during the war nor were any Americans held as prisoners of war. TheU.S.–Hungarian Peace Treaty was signed on 29 August.[2]
The United States' legation was established in Budapest on 26 December 1921. Hungary opened its first consulates in New York City, Pittsburgh, Chicago, and Clveland in 1922.László Széchenyi, the first Hungarian minister to the United States, presented his credentials on 11 January 1922, and served until 31 March 1933.[1]
In the 1930sStandard Oil of New Jersey started exploring for oil in Hungary.[3] The Hungarian-American Oil Corporation (MAORT) started oil production in 1937. This rose from 1.3 million tons of oil in 1937, to 37.3 million tons in 1938, and 141.8 million tons in 1939.[4]
The United States represented the British after the United Kingdom and Hungary ended diplomatic relations on 7 April 1941. The British ultimatum to Hungary requesting that it end its participation in the war against the Soviet Union was delivered by Americans on 29 November. The United States was opposed to the United Kingdom declaring war on Hungary as it was believed that it would strengthen the pro-war faction in Hungary. The ultimatum expired and the British declared war on 7 December.[5]
Germany'sdeclaration of war against the United States resulted inLászló Bárdossy ending diplomatic relations with the United States on 11 December. Bárdossy was opposed to war with the United States as he felt it would be similar to Panama and Costa Rica declarations of war against Japan, as neither side would be greatly involved in the conflict against the subject of the declaration.[6] However, Bárdossy informedHerbert Pell on 13 December that a state of war existed between the United States and Hungary.[7]
U.S. Secretary of StateCordell Hull opposed declaring war on Hungary as he viewed it as apuppet state of Germany.[8] On 2 June 1942, PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt requested the United States Congress to declare war on Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania.[9]
Tibor Eckhardt left Hungary on 7 March 1941, and travelled to the United States. Germany'sFederal Foreign Office was suspicious of Eckhardt, but Horthy denied sending him on a mission. Eckhardt made contact with theUnited States Department of State as the leader of an independent Hungary movement. Eckhardt was stripped of his Hungarian citizenship in October. His independent Hungary movement disbanded in July 1942.[10]
According to the 2012 U.S. Global Leadership Report, 38% ofHungarians approve of U.S. leadership, with 20% disapproving and 42% uncertain, a decrease from 53% approval in 2011.[11] According to a 2018 poll, 68% ofHungarians viewed the United States favorably.[12]
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This article incorporatespublic domain material fromU.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets.United States Department of State.
