Hungary Uprising Flashcards
What is a satellite state?
A satellite state is a country that is officially independent, but is in reality controlled by another country. Between 1947 and 1949, the USSR extended its influence over Eastern Europe, turning countries such as Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland into satellite states.
Why did Stalin set up satellite states?
Stalin described the Marshall Plan as ‘dollar imperialism’; he believed the Americans were trying to buy influence over Europe. In response, he extended his control over Eastern Europe by creating satellite states.
How did Stalin take control of countries and make them into satellite states?
When countries did not freely elect a communist leader, Stalin cheated and made sure the communist party was elected at rigged elections. He maintained control by:
Making sure the Communist Party leader in each state obeyed Moscow;
Creating fear and mistrust - opponents of Soviet control were to afraid to work together;
Ruthless use of the army and secret police forces;
Making the economies of these countries dependent on the USSR.
How did Stalin ‘rationalise’ the economies of satellite states?
Satellite states were made dependent on the USSR because they could not be self-sufficient. For example, Poland did all the ship building, but Hungary produced all of the trucks. Neither economy could produce everything it needed to be independent, so they were forced to rely on the USSR.
In what ways was Hungary treated badly under Stalin?
Rakosi called himself ‘Stalin’s best pupil’ but the people of Hungary nicknamed him ‘the bald butcher’. He developed what were known as ‘salami tactics’ for dealing with his opponents ‘slice by slice’, meaning he got rid of opposition by dividing it bit by bit.
How many people did Rakosi get rid of?
387,000 were imprisoned and 2,000 killed.
What was ‘De-Stalinisation’?
Stalin died in 1953 and his successor, Khrushchev decided to change the way the USSR and its satellite states were run - in a less oppressive way. This was called ‘De-Stalinisation’.
Why did Nagy become Prime Minister of Hungary?
Khrushchev’s ‘Secret Speech’ had created hope of reform - but nothing happened. Combined with bad harvests and food shortages, the people of Hungary were so angry that they started protesting in public, calling for reforms. Fighting broke out and the problem spread across the country. Khrushchev made Nagy Prime Minister to try and calm the situation down.
What reforms did Nagy call for once he was made Prime Minister?
Hungary was to leave the Warsaw Pact; Free elections; End to censorship; End to secret police (the AVO); United Nations were asked to recognise Hungary as an independent nation.
What was Khrushchev’s reaction to Nagy’s reforms?
Khrushchev believed that the reforms were unacceptable and that if Hungary left the Warsaw Pact, other Earstern European countries would follow.
He responded with a decisive show of force.
Describe the decisive show of force used by Khrushchev against Nagy and the Hungarian Uprising.
On the 4th November 1956, Khrushchev sent in 200,000 Soviet troops and 1,000 tanks in support of a new Communist leader called Kadar.
What were the consequences/effects of the fighting that took place during the Hungarian Uprising?
About 2,500 people were killed by Soviet troops and 20,000 wounded.
Almost 200,000 fled to the West.
About 650 Soviet troops were killed and 1,250 wounded.
What happened to Nagy?
He was charged with treason and, in a trial overseen by Khrushchev himself, found guilty and hanged in June 1958. Khrushchev stated that his death was ‘a lesson to the leaders of all socialist countries.’
What were the other effects of the Hungarian Uprising?
Apart from the deaths on both sides:
- A new, strict Soviet government was imposed on Hungary under the new puppet leader Kadar;
- The USSR had maintained its empire and sent out a warning to other satellite states about what would happen if they tried to break away;
- The West saw Khrushchev’s recent messages of peace as a sham. Nevertheless, the West had also shown that it was unwilling to interfere in events within the Soviet sphere of influence.
How did events from 1945 - 1956 influence international relations?
Oh - come on! I’m not going to GIVE you this answer! This is a full essay question that requires three main topics within the time period - you will need to use the main ‘Section 4’ deck of cards and the video tutorials to prepare fully for this. Get started!
