The Soviet Invasion of Hungary Flashcards
Between what years was Matyas Rakosi the dictator of Hungary?
1949 - 1956
What was the nickname for Rakosi?
The ‘Bald Butcher’
How did Rakosi rule?
With ‘salami tactics’
How many people were imprisoned under Rakosi?
387,000
How many people died under Rakosi?
2,000
When did Stalin die?
1953
Who took over once Stalin died?
Khrushchev
How was Khrushchev different to Stalin?
He was more liberal
When was Khrushchev’s secret speech?
1956
What did Khrushchev promise in his secret speech?
De-Stalinisation
Why did Rakosi’s reign end in 1956?
He was forced to resign by Khrushchev as a gesture to hungarians
When was the Hungarian uprising?
October 1956
Why did the Hungarians start an uprising? (3)
- Expected more from Khrushchev
- Bad harvest
- Fuel shortages
Who did Khrushchev appoint as the new leader of Hungary?
Imre Nagy
How was Nagy different to Rakosi?
He was much more liberal
What reforms did Nagy introduce? (4)
- Hungary becomes neutral
- Communist government should end
- Free elections
- Ask UN for protection against USSR
Why did Khrushchev not like Nagy’s reforms?
- Didn’t want Hungary to leave Warsaw Pact or would trigger a chain reaction
When did the SU invade invade Hungary?
November 1956
How many Soviet troops invaded Hungary?
200,000
How many Hungarians were killed after the Soviet invasion?
20,000
When was Nagy tried and executed?
June 1958
Who replaced Imre Nagy as leader of Hungary?
Janos Kadar
What did Kadar introduce?
A 15 point program which repealed all of Nagy’s reforms
How many Hungarian refugees were there after the Hungarian uprising?
200,000
