újkorban

Újkorban is a term used in Hungarian historiography to designate the modern era, the period roughly from the late 18th century to the present. It marks the transition from the early modern and medieval world to contemporary social, political, and economic structures in the Hungarian lands, as well as their integration into broader Central European and global developments.

Chronology and scope vary among scholars. Many place the start in the late 18th century, with Enlightenment-inspired reforms under Habsburg rulers and the early modernization of administration and society. The period is closely associated with the reforms of the Reform Era (early to mid-19th century), the 1848 revolutions, and the subsequent Austro-Hungarian constitutional framework from 1867. The end point is not fixed; for most historians the modern era extends into the 20th century and continues into contemporary history, including the interwar period, World War II, the Communist era, and the democratic transformation after 1989.

Key characteristics of the újkor include centralization and modernization of state institutions, legal and educational reforms, industrialization and urbanization, the rise of nationalism and a modern public sphere, and changes in land ownership and the economy. The period also features significant social and cultural changes, such as the emancipation movements, shifts in social structure, and advances in science, culture, and media.

In historiography, the újkor is used to analyze political systems—from absolutism to constitutional monarchy and democracy—alongside social, economic, and cultural transformations that defined modern Hungarian society. Related periods include kora újkor (early modern) and reformkor (the Reform Era).