Hungary and Poland Flashcards
What inspired the 1956 Poland crisis? What was the initial response?
Death of Stalinist Polish leader Boleslaw Beriut led to demands for Gomulka to lead. Protest by factory workers in Poznan, June 1956, over pay and working conditions. Over two days, Josef Cyrankiewicz and Eduard Ochab ordered troops in and killed 53 people.
How did Gomulka enter power in 1956?
In October, Gomulka returned. Red Army tanks set in, but Soviet position fatally weakened in Polish October. Workers gained private enterprise in agriculture but were still subordinated to Moscow. On 19 October Gomulka promised he would do Khrushchev’s bidding.
How did Imre Nagy enter power in Hungary?
July 1956 – Erno Gero, more hardline, replaces Rakosi. Demands for Imre Nagy, who was reinstated. Nagy went beyond requests of Petofi Circle and offered reform with reduced force and cooperation with working people – withdrawing from Warsaw Pact and democracy.
What antagonistic actions did Nagy take?
30 October – AVO disbanded and commitment for multi-party system with Smallholders, National Peasant Party, and Social Democratic Party. 1 November – on radio requested UN recognition of Hungary’s neutrality.
What was USSR response to Hungarian uprising?
Hardliners led by Gero requested Soviet assistance and Red Army tanks sent it on 4 November. 180,000 driven out of country and Janos Kadar installed in power. On 16 June 1958 Nagy was hung. Showed that Khrushchev would not relinquish communist power with de-Stalinisation
In Hungarian Uprising how many were arrested? Why did the West fail?
Power elite feared the criminal elements of Hungary. 35,000 protesters were arrested. The West, despite encouraging protesters on Radio Free Europe, failed to intervene.
