Proclaiming himself emperor hadn't been a rash decision on Kossuth's part. In fact, after careful deliberation, he had made it as a last resort, with no other options left.
Although Hungary was in dire straits, political infighting at home had only grown fiercer. In hindsight, the assassination attempt on Duke of Banyat outside Parliament had far-reaching consequences.
The rival factions' struggle had become a brutal, life-or-death conflict. Meanwhile, power and status were corroding the revolutionaries who had once been so idealistic.
Most of Kossuth's followers came from the Single-Garment Nobles. They had once been so poor that they owned only one set of clothes. Now, although they had left bustling Budapest, they could still enjoy the benefits of power and status in the eastern capital, Debrecen, if they were clever about it.
Once public office was used for private gain, Pandora's Box was hard to close. Skimming supplies meant for the front and squeezing the common people were basic practice. Selling strategic materials to the Austrians, or even the Ottomans, in exchange for luxuries was downright outrageous.
Some officials who controlled troops even showed signs of turning into warlords.
In Kossuth's view, many of his orders had not been carried out effectively. If these people had followed his commands in time, they might already have swept the remaining enemy forces from the Lands of the Crown of Saint Stephen, and even joined forces with Britain and France to attack Austria proper.
Without the interference of other factions, he wouldn't have had to act with such trepidation.
As president, Kossuth felt his authority was being constrained. Franz, by contrast, had quickly taken control after ascending the throne.
In times of crisis, the strong trusted only their own judgment.
Kossuth believed he was undoubtedly such a strong man. After all, Europe's royal