Superpower Relations - 1.3 The Cold War intensifies Flashcards
Who lead the USSR in the 1950s?
Kruschev. Khrushchev’s approach gave hope to same people in Eastern Europe as he critisized Stalins policies and wanted peaceful co-existence with the west
Why was there optimism in the 1950s?
There as a new cause for optimism fueled by an agreement in 1955 on how Austrailia should be governed and a summit meeting in Geneva in July 1955. Even though they didn’t reach agreement over the future agreement over the future of Germany, the atmosphere of co-operation reduced tension between the East and West
What were over causes of optimism in the 1950s?
- Khrushchev’s anti- Stalin speeches
- Koran War ended in 1953
- Both sides were keen to spend less weapons
- Geneva meeting in 1955 relatively friendly’
What was the effect of Soviet Rule on Hungary?
- Used terror and brutality to kill people (estimated 2,000 in purges and imprisoning 200,000 political oponents)
- The secret police (AVH) became hated and dreaded part of Hungarian life
- A five year plan to improve economy of Hungary failed to bring real progress with living standards falling.
- Traded unevenly with Russia which made them poorer
What was Hungary like in 1956?
- Living standards were poor
- Resources taken to Russia (coal, oil)
- Removal of opposition - ‘salami’ tactics (removing an opponent one at a time)
- Religious teaching banned + Catholic Cardinal arrested
- Rakoskis rule compared to a mini Stalin / ‘ bald butcher’
- 1945 - Soviets take over - ‘free’ elections Communists come to power
- People became unhappy - leads to protests
What happens on the 23rd of October 1956?
Student demonstrations began in Budapest demanding free elections and withdrawl of Soviet troops
What happens on the 24th of October 1956?
Khrushchev agrees Nagy can be the true Prime minister
What happens on the 28th of October 1956?
Soviet troops withdraw from Budapest, government promises free elections and freedom of speech
What happens on the 3rd of november 1956?
Nagy announces Hungary is leaving the Warsaw Pact
What happens on the 4th of november 1956?
Soviet troops return, after a bloody street battle Soviets regain control
With the Nagy reforms that are introduced, what parts of the reforms would concern the soviet union?
- Hungary leaving the Warsaw Pact (would lead to other countries leaving and suppressing USSR control and communism)
- Immediate release of political prisoners (would lead to an non-communist Ruling Hungary and suppress communism)
- Hungarian government would include non-communist parties ending the one-party state in Hungary (lead to a non-communist ruler and suppress communism)
What were the consequences of the Hungarian Uprising effects on Hungary?
- 20,000 Hungarians killed as the Soviet forces re-established control
- Nagy was arrested and executed by being kidnapped
- 200,000 fled Hungary
What were the consequences of the Hungarian Uprising effects on the USSR?
- Fears of other countries from the Warsaw Pact retaliating like hungary
- Set up a re Pro-communist government in Hungary to maintain communism
- Khruschev’s position more secure
What were the consequences of the Hungarian Uprising effects on the superpower relations?
- Lost influence as they didn’t go give military support towards Hungary (For USA)
- Made relations between the USA and USSR worse
- West condemned the Soviets but could do little else
- ‘Peaceful co-existence’ from Kruschev is a sham/lie
What was the key features of the Hungarian uprising?
1) Khrushchev made Imre Nagy Prime Minister,
2) Nagy then announced he wanted to leave the Warsaw Pact,
3) this led to Khrushchev sending in 200,000 troops and 1,000 tanks.
