Hungarian Uprising 1956 Flashcards
What’s some background on Hungary?
One party state under pro-Stalin leader Rakosi in 1948
Hungarians were against soviet rule
When Stalin died in 1953 Hungarians were given some hope that they might be free from Soviet Rule
In Feb 1956 Khrushchev bitterly attacked Stalins policies in the ‘secret speech’. DESTALINISATION
Causes of the uprising?
Poverty-Hungary was poor as their resources went to the Soviet Union
Oppression- censorship, secret police and control of education
Nationalisation- Hungary was very nationalistic and hated Soviet Control
Promises from the West- They believed the US would help them
What were the events of the Hungarian Uprising
-Hungarians took to the streets in protest and Rakosi was forced to resign
-Imre Nagy replaced him in October 1956 and allowed the re form of political parties
-He introduced proposals for reform such as free elections and impartial courts, freedom of religion and freedom of speech
-He significantly announced that Hungary would leave the Warsaw Pact
What was the response of the USSR
-Such an action would destroy the unity of the Soviet bloc, by opening a gap in the iron curtain which could then lead to its collapse.
-Therefore, on November 4th, Khrushchev ordered 5 divisions of the army and 6,000 tanks to enter Budapest to restore order.
-Approximately 20’000 Hungarians and 3’000 Soviet troops were killed in 10 days of fighting
-Soviet Rule was restored, Janos Kadar was placed incharge and Nagy fled to the Yugoslavian embassy
