Charles IV of Hungary vs Mpande kaSenzangakhona

Charles IV was crowned King of Hungary in Budapest, succeeding his great-uncle Franz Joseph I. His coronation took place during World War I, and he inherited a monarchy strained by war and nationalist tensions. He was the last Habsburg to be crowned King of Hungary.

Charles IV secretly attempted to negotiate a separate peace with the Allies through his brother-in-law, Prince Sixtus of Bourbon-Parma. The Sixtus Affair failed when the negotiations were revealed, angering Germany and weakening Austria-Hungary's position.

Following the collapse of Austria-Hungary at the end of World War I, Charles IV issued a proclamation renouncing participation in state affairs but did not formally abdicate. He went into exile in Switzerland, and the Austrian Republic was proclaimed.

Charles IV made two attempts to regain the Hungarian throne, traveling to Hungary in March and October 1921. Both attempts failed due to opposition from the Entente powers and the Hungarian regent Miklos Horthy. After the second attempt, he was exiled to Madeira.

Mpande kaSenzangakhona became Zulu king in February 1840 after overthrowing his half-brother Dingane with the help of Boer forces. He agreed to cede land to the Boers in return for their support, establishing a cooperative relationship with the Natal Boers.

Mpande ceded large territories to the Boers, including the land that became the Natalia Republic, as part of his alliance with them. This land loss reduced Zulu territory but allowed Mpande to consolidate power internally and avoid further conflict with the Boers.

Mpande reigned as Zulu king for 32 years, from 1840 to 1872, the longest reign of any Zulu monarch. His reign was marked by relative peace and stability, as he avoided major wars with European powers and focused on internal consolidation and economic development.

Mpande died in October 1872, leading to a succession struggle between his sons Cetshwayo and Mbuyazi. Cetshwayo emerged victorious after the Battle of Ndondakusuka in 1856, but Mpande's death officially transferred power, setting the stage for the Anglo-Zulu War.