After a war with Prussia and Italy in 1867, Francis Joseph sought a solution that would promise speedy recovery and stabilization of internal affairs.

The monarchy was transformed, in 1867, into a dual system, overseen by one emperor and three ministries – foreign affairs, war and finance. Both countries administered their affairs separately. The Magyars obtained the dominant position in Hungary, and the Slovak ethnic identity was even more harshly suppressed. The Hungarian government closed down the three Slovak high schools and, in 1875, Matica slovenska as well. This was the period of Magyarization aimed at neutralizing the Slovak middle class and intellectuals. The cause of Slovak independence was set back several decades. At a time when other Austrian provinces, such as Bohemia and Slovenia, were allowed their own educational and cultural institutions and commerce, Slovaks were fighting for their very survival.

First building of Matica slovenska in Martin

The Memorandum from 1861 remained the political program of the Slovaks, but it was obvious that little action could be taken under the current circumstances. Slovaks were forced more and more on the defensive. Slovak activities were concentrated around the small town of Turciansky Sv. Martin, where the only Slovak political party (the Slovak National Party) was based and Narodne noviny (National News) printed. With the corruption in Hungary, rigged elections to the National Assembly, and open violence against non-Hungarian representatives, there was precious little room for Slovak political activity. In the 1881 elections, when, as a result of oppression and manipulation, the Slovaks failed to succeed in getting a single seat in the Assembly, they decided not to try again. This passivity on the part of the Slovaks lasted to the end of the century.