Hungary's participation in World War I is one of the best researched topics in Hungarian historiography. Most recently it has been the subject of fresh research  thanks to upsurge in studies during the centennial of the Great War.

 

However, instead of focusing on the military, diplomatic or political aspects of World War I, our research team strives to explore the social history of  this period.

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In order to obtain a birds-eye view picture of these four years, our research group examines the effects of the war economy (limited the market conditions and policies subordinated to the needs of the army, war bond) on everyday life (the fluctuation of food prices, the  rationing system and food stamps), and the changing policies in the social security system (disability-care, the support of war widows and war orphans, health system and housing).

 

We focus on the everyday life on the Home front, the diverse wartime experiences of individuals and social classes: the social conflicts, deprivation, anti-semitism and ensuing shipping scandals, the changing social roles (women's emancipation at work and the erosion the of the family structure at home), the changes in music, fashion and entertainment (coffee houses, music halls, cinemas, theatrical life), as well as the charitable institutions and associations of the era.

 

Apart from this, we also investigate the effects of 1918 flu pandemic on wartime Hungarian society.