The Hungarian Uprising 1956

Question 1

Why did the people of Hungary protest

Answer 1

1. The Hungarian secret police caused fear throughout the country and people hoped revolution would end this
2. Crop failures and food shortages in Hungary led to public anger and hopes for change
3. Many Hungarians had been sent to prison for opposing Soviet control, leading to public anger
4. Limits on freedoms increased demands for change and reform in Hungary
5. Religious Hungarians were driven to revolt because there were limits on the practice of their faith
6. Many Hungarians opposed the policies of hard-line Communist leaders such as Rakosi

Question 2

What was the Soviets response/ why did they invade Hungary

Answer 2

1. The Soviet Union were concerned that Hungary could join the Western Camp
2. The Soviets feared that democratic elections in Hungary would see a rejection of communist rule
3. The Soviets worried that other countries would follow the example of Hungary and they would lose control over Eastern Europe
4. Soviets moved quickly to take advantage of Western hesitancy (the USA, Britain and France were distracted by the Suez Canal crisis)
5. If Hungarians left the Warsaw Pact other countries might be tempted to do the same
6. Khrushchev needed to assert his authority as the Soviet leader

Question 3

What were the key aspects of the Hungarian uprising

Answer 3

1. Stalin died of a stroke in 1953, Khrushchev took over and held a policy called destalinisation
2. Hungarians demonstrated- asking for reforms. The Soviet Union sent tanks into squash rebellion. Nagy replaced Rakosi as leader of Hungary.
3. Nagy accepts demands for reforms in Hungary. He wanted free elections, an end to the one party system, trade links with the west, freedom of speech and Nagy also wanted to withdraw Hungary from the Warsaw pact.
4. Nagy hoped to get UN support for the withdrawal of Hungary from the Warsaw pact which would pressurise the Soviet Union to accept his demands.
5. Kruschev was anxious not to be seen as a weak leader by other members of the Warsaw Pact
6. On November 4th 200,000 Soviet troops and 6,000 tanks returned to Hungary and killed thousands, many Hungarians fled to Austria
   7.Kadar became the new leader and Nagy was executed in 1958

Question 4

What were the results of the Hungarian uprising

Answer 4

1. 7,000 Soviets were killed
2. 20,000 Hungarians died
3. 200,000 Hungarians fled to Austria
4. USA and Britain condemned the attack
5. The Soviet Union remained in control of Hungary
6. It sent a message to all other countries of the Warsaw Pact, that they should not attempt to leave the pact