Tisza, Kálmán (käl`män tĭ`sŏ), 1830–1902, Hungarian premier (1875–90), of an old Calvinist family. He entered politics in the Hungarian revolution of Mar., 1848. Elected (1861) to the Hungarian parliament, he led the radical group that later opposed the Ausgleich [compromise] of 1867, which created the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy Austro-Hungarian Monarchy or Dual Monarchy, the Hapsburg empire from 1867 until its fall in 1918.

The Nature of Austria-Hungary

The reorganization of Austria and Hungary was made possible by the Ausgleich
..... Click the link for more information. . He was influential in maintaining Austro-Hungarian neutrality in the Franco-Prussian War. Having become (1875) premier of Hungary, he reversed his stand on the Ausgleich and formed the Liberal party, which dominated Hungarian politics during the following decades. His close support of the policies of Julius Andrássy, the Austro-Hungarian foreign minister, enabled Tisza to make Hungary an equal partner in the Dual Monarchy. During his 15-year premiership, Tisza rehabilitated Hungarian finances, introduced compulsory education, and strengthened the economic ties with Austria. He tried to absorb the Slavic and Romanian minorities into a Magyar culture and nation.

Tisza, Kálmán

(born Dec. 16, 1830, Geszt, Hung., Austrian Empire—died March 23, 1902, Budapest) Hungarian politician and premier (1875–90). A member of an old landowning family, he took part in the struggle for Hungarian national autonomy within the Austro-Hungarian system of dual government. After the Compromise of 1867 he formed a coalition of the nobility, business interests, and small landowners into the new Liberal Party (1875) and became prime minister. His social, political, economic, and legal reforms helped Hungary develop into a modern state. He resigned over interference from the Austrian emperor but continued as leader of the Liberal Party, with his son, István Tisza.