till 1859 it was clear, that the politics of retribution failed, and it only alianated Austrians and the other ethnics, so the Emperor allowed national diets. to win back the Hungarians, the Emperor offered to reset to the 1848 relations. despite dried out form passive resistance, the Hungarian politicans declined the offer, but they became divided on smaller details, so there was a moderate and a radical party. the moderate party won the majority, but the Emperor still disassembled the diet and declared provisional situation.

it was not a bad position fo Hungarians, why they didnt pushed for independence? both Austirans and Hungarians were tired from 10 years of "cold war". this Hungarian issue threatened the Empire with revolution/catastrophy for more than a decade long, and the serf reliefs and passive resistance decimated the Hungarian (small-)Nobles.

not only that, but the international situation changed only little: as yet, the leading powers still supported the Habsburgs, and considered their Empire essential for European power balance. the German Confederation still aimed for a big German state, and the Russians became stronger each day. Deák belived, Hungary would only benefit from being part of an united Empire, and a compromising/weak Emperor would strengthen the position of Hungarian nobles.

just think, with all these super powers lurking around, how long would the independence last? Russians already showed a decade ago that they are not afraid to claim the role of the overlord in the region by force, and what will happen if the German dreams come trough? so, after 18 years, rather than pushing exhausted Hungary and Austria towards revolution and risky wars, the Emperor and the Hungarian politicans compromised with mutual allowance, and stayed a major power till the inevitable wars.

edit: typos