Uprisings Flashcards
What were the challenges to soviet control in Eastern Europe?
Czechoslovakia 1953, Berlin 1953, Poland 1956, Hungary 1956, Prague 1968, Poland 1980-81
Why did the 1956 Polish uprising occur?
After Stalin’s death, Polish rioters broke out rioting demanding an end to communism and due to food shortages
How was the Polish 1956 uprising solved?
Rioters were crushed and…
The gov already pursuing destalinization, purges stopped and Gomulka (deputy PM purged in 1948) was readmitted as communist party leader in 1956- he was nationalist not Stalinist, and liked by the people
What were the causes of the 1956 uprising?
Destalinization led to calls for reform, demonstrations to put pressure on gov. Gero’s gov couldn’t control the resulting violence.
What had happened just prior to the Hungarian 1956 uprising?
As part of destalinization Khrushchev had- with Tito’s backing- put pressure on Hungarian gov to replace Rakosi with more liberal Gero
What happened during the 1956 Hungarian uprising?
Under soviet pressure Gero replaced by Nagy, Nagy’s attempts to introduce moderate reforms known as ‘the new course’ failed.
Nagy gave into demands to introduce multi-party democracy + cease involvement in Warsaw pact.
Why did America not get involved in the Hungarian uprising?
Political distraction due to the Suez canal crisis in Egypt
What was the response to the events of the 1956 Hungarian uprising?
Too much for USSR, Soviet forces sent into Hungary. New gov under Kadar, 4,000 killed including Nagy (although Western propaganda said 30,000) Soviet bloc remained intact, but long lasting bitterness towards it.
What was the Czechoslovakia uprising 1968 known as?
The Prague spring
What were the events of the 1953 Czechoslovakia uprising?
June 1953 symbols of soviet power attacked, soviet flags attacked and burnt and town hall sacked. Soviet response was quick and brutal
What were the causes of the Czechoslovakian uprising in 1968?
Hardline communist Novotny forced to resign & replaced by Dubcek (communist but compromising not forceful). Gave the impression he would listen to reformers and new ideas
What happened during the 1968 Czechoslovakian uprising?
Reformers pushed for change & censorship abolished & free media & modernisation of economy- ‘socialism with a human face’. USSR threatened, after unsatisfactory meeting with Cz USSR sent in tanks +20 Aug 1968 over 200,000 Warsaw pact troops invaded + imposed martial law.
What was the outcome of the 1968 Czechoslovakian uprising
Soviet presence supervising to attempt to protect socialism, Dubcek out of control of situation, All reforms of Prague spring revered. Cz Communist party purged, Dubcek replaced in 1969. No rioting/fighting unlike Hungary 1956
What was the significance of Jon Palach?
20yr old student gained international publicity when he burnt himself to death in Prague’s Wenceslas square in protest at the events of 1968-9
What were the causes of the 1980-1 Polish uprising?
Began with Polish people protesting gov about measure affecting living standards. Initiated by protests against price rises ordered by gov . Result of discontented workers rather than communist reformers
