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
