Embassy of the United States, Budapest

Hungary–United States relations on a diplomatic level began during the time of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The first American embassy was actually opened in Vienna, and the first American envoy presented his credentials on November 7, 1838.^[1] Diplomatic relations were severed during World War I, and the peace treaty between the two countries was signed on August 29, 1921.^[2] Only after that could discussions about opening separate diplomatic representations for Hungary and the USA commence. Even before this, the USA was not without representation in Hungary. On December 4, 1919, Ulysses Grant-Smith arrived in Hungary to represent the American government.^[3] Grant-Smith opened an office at 12 Lendvay Street, and his assignment was confirmed on January 27, 1920.^[4] The embassy was officially founded on December 26, 1921, with Ulysses Grant-Smith serving as the chargé d'affaires. He was succeeded by Theodore Brentano, who represented the United States from May 16, 1922, with the title of Minister Plenipotentiary.^[3]

The embassy and consulate moved to 12 Imre Steindl Street (then: Árpád Street) in 1930.^[5] In 1933, negotiations began with the Hungarian Post Savings Bank for the lease of the nearby location at 12 Liberty Square.^[6] The embassy opened at this now-famous location on January 20, 1934, initially leasing the offices but eventually displacing all previous tenants. Budapest's fifth post office operated in the building from 1933 until 1947, when the Americans transitioned from tenants to owners.^[7]

On December 13, 1941 Hungary declared war on the United States.^[8] However, United States Congress did not approve the state of war, and thus the embassy continued to operate. Envoy Herbert Pell left Hungary on January 16, 1942.^[3] The embassy building was temporarily entrusted to the Swiss, and was occupied by Consul Carl Lutz, who directed his humanitarian activities from there.

Following World War II, an American diplomat, Arthur Schoenfeld, arrived in Hungary in January 1945 as a representative of the Allied Control Commission. He was appointed as envoy on December 15, 1945, and presented his credentials on January 26, 1946.^[3] That same year, the Americans purchased the building on Liberty Square. During the Rákosi era, relations became increasingly strained, culminating in the expulsion of Ambassador Selden Chapin in 1949.^[9]

During the autumn of 1956 a transition was occurring at the embassy. The new envoy, Edward T. Wailes, arrived in Budapest on November 2—two days ahead of Soviet tanks. Due to the unfolding events, he was unable to present his credentials, and ultimately didn't want to present them to the Revolutionary Workers'-Peasants' Government of Hungary. He was expelled in February 1957.^[10] In 1956, József Mindszenty sought and was granted asylum at the embassy. He lived there for nearly one and a half decades, unable to leave the building for fear of arrest.

During the Cold War years the embassy existed but due to tense relations, no ambassadors, only temporary chargés d'affaires, were stationed in the other country. The USA did not have an appointed ambassador in Hungary between 1957 and 1967. The relationship was further complicated by Mindszenty's presence in the embassy and the USA's foreign policy at the time (Vietnam War). It was not until 1966 that relations began to improve.^[11] Embassies were upgraded to ambassadorial status, and both countries finally sent ambassadors to lead their missions: the USA sent Martin J. Hillenbrand in 1967, and Hungary sent János Nagy in 1968.^[12]