Hungary Flashcards
Who led Hungary in the period 1949-56?
Matyas Rakosi
Hungary in the period 1949-56
Led by a comunist called Matyas Rakosi. Hungarians hated the resistrictions put upon them. Most felt bitter about losing their freedom of speech. They lived in fear of the secret police. They resented the presence of Soviet soldiers and officials in their country. Some areas even had Russian schools and shops. Worst of all they were made to pay for the Soviet troops to be in Hungary
What happened in June 1956?
A group within Communism opposed Rakosi. He appealed to Khrushchev for help. He wanted to arrest 400 leading opponents but Moscow would not back him
Following events in June 1956 what did Khrushchev do?
Khrushchev ordered Rakosi to be retired for ‘health reasons’
Who was appointed to replace Rakosi? Why was this a problem?
Erno Gero - he was also hated by Hungarians
What happened on 23rd October 1956?
Hungarians were rioting and in a huge student demonstration a giant statue of Stalin was pulled down in Budapest.
When was the statue of Stalin pulled down?
23rd October 1956
What did the USSR do after the statue of Stalin was pulled down?
Allowed a new government to be formed under Imre Nagy
What happened in October 1956?
Soviet troops and tanks that had been stationed in Hungary since WW2 began to withdraw
How did Hungary replace Soviet power?
With thousands of local councils
What did many Hungarian soldiers do?
Defected from the army to the rebel cause taking their weapons with them
What were the plan’s of Nagy’s government?
- Free elections
- Impartial courts
- Restore farmland to private ownership
- wanted total withdrawal of Soviet soldiers
- Planned to leave the Warsaw Pact and declare Hungary neutral in the Cold War.
Why did Nagy think that he would be able to leave the Warsaw Pact?
As there was widespread optimism that President Eisenhower would support the new independent Hungary with armed troops if necessary.
What was the Soviet Union’s reaction to Nagy’s plans?
Khrushchev at first seemed ready to accept some of the reforms. However he could not accept Hungary leaving the Warsaw Pact and decided to invade Budapest
When did the Soviet Union invade Budapest? What did they do?
November 1956 - thousands of Soviet troops and tanks moved into Budapest
How long did the Soviet’s fight the Hungarians for?
2 weeks
How many Hungarian troops were killed in the Hungarian invasion?
3000
How many Soviet troops were killed in the Hungarian invasion?
1000
What did other Hungarians do during the invasion?
200,000 Hungarians fled across the border into Austria
What did the West do in response to the Hungarian invasion?
Protested but didn’t do anything to help as they were preoccupied with the simultaneous Suez Crisis in Egypt
Who did Khrushchev appoint as the Hungarian leader after the invasion?
Janos Kadar
How long did it take Kadar to crush resistance?
Several months
How many anti-Communist activists were arrested?
35,000
How many anti-communist activists were executed?
300
What did Kadar do to win around popular feeling?
Cautiously introduced reforms demanded by the people
Did Hungary remain a member of the Warsaw Pact?
Yes
