USSR Satellite States & Hungary Flashcards
Describe the situation from the end of WW2 to 1949 4
During WW2, most Eastern European countries were under Nazi occupation
Countries liberated by Soviet troops
Yalta conference agreed that Soviet troops leave countries and allow free & fair elections
1945-1949, Stalin rigged elections to ensure Stalinist governments
Describe the situation in 1949 with the Satellite states 5
1945-1949, Stalin rigged elections to ensure Stalinist governments
Countries expected to follow orders from Moscow and work with USSR
became Soviet satellite states
Stalin justified states bc it was a defensive move against Western aggression
1949, East Germany became German Democratic Republic
How were countries run under Communist governments 3
Soviet troops remained in countries to “restore law & order”
Farmers & industries controlled by government and production quotas set
Countries expected to be part of COMECON & COMINFORM
What was COMECON 5
Council for Mutual Economic assistance
set up in 1949
to co-ordinate industries and trade of East Europe countries
members of COMECON traded with each other rather than with West
Meant to be Soviet equivalent of Marshall Aid, which satellite states weren’t allowed to accept
What was COMINFORM 4
Communist information Bureau
Set up in 1947
to co-ordinate Communist governments in Eastern Europe
sent instructions from Soviets to Communist governments
descrbe the situation in Yugoslavia in the late 1940s 4
Leader Josef Broz Tito reluctant to follow Soviet orders
1947-1948, Tito harshly criticised Stalin
when Tito refused to tone down complaints, Stalin expelled Yugoslavia from COMINFORM
after expulsion, Yugoslavia remained Communist but independent
describe the Warsaw Pact 1955 5
All satellite states expected to sign Warsaw Pact
Drawn up in response to NATO
maintained Communist unity among “Eastern Bloc” countries against Western aggression
Russia had excuse needed to respond to any opposition in satellite states
Gave USSR market for its military hardware
Why did the USSR deal harshly with any country that tried to leave? 3
It weakened Warsaw Pact
reduced status and prestige of USSR in Cold War
Could isolate Russia from other allied Communist states
Why did some Eastern Europeans think Stalin was cool? 3
revolutionised Soviet industry, maybe he could save destroyed industries
Communist government brings stability
Strong Soviet troops offered protection
Why did some Eastern Europeans think Stalin was a wanker? 6
Stalinism is repressive
Lost freedom of speech, newspapers consored
Secret police and Soviet troops still in Countries
Nationalism is being stamped out, expected to be Soviet citizens
Not allowed Marshall Aid so economies are failing
would rather be independent like Yugoslavia
When did the Hungarian Uprisings start?
1956
Describe how Stalin’s death in 1952 affected USSR control? 3
Anti-Communist riots in East Berlin
Soviet troops began to leave Austria
Hungarians were hopeful for change
describe the situation when the power struggle in Soviet Union was resolved 1956 4
Nikita Khrushchev replaced Stalin
distanced himself from Stalin’s policies (Destalinisation)
Protest in Poland resulted in more moderate leader, Wladyslaw Gomulka
July 1956,Rákosi of Hungary replaced by Ernő Gerő
Descibe he rule of Mátyás Rákosi Hungary 4
head of Catholic Church imprisoned
Foreign minister László Rajk was executed
Show trials like those held by Stalin in1930’s were held
Hungarians had to pay upkeep of Soviet troops in Hungary
Why was there Hungarian discontent 1956 6
Poor, but most food and industrial goods were sent to Russia
Hungarians were Catholic and religious but Stalinist party banned religion
censorship, secret police and USSR controlled what was taught in schools
No freedom of speech. Lived in fear bc you could be arrested for speaking against government or listening to Western music
Thousands of Soviet troops & officials stationed in Hungary. cost of troops drained Hungarian economy & affected ordinary ppl
Russian language forced on ppl. Hungarian street signs replaced with Russian versions. imposed as language in school
What triggered the establishment of Imre Naggy as PM of Hungary? 4
6 October 1956, State funeral for Rajk became public demonstration
23 October: Students, soldiers & workers rioted. Students tore down statue of Stalin and attached AVH (secret police) & Russian soldiers
24 October, Imre Nagy took over as Prime Minister & asked Khrushchev to remove Russian troops
Khrushchev agreed & Russian troops left Budapest
describe the new Hungarian Govt’s reforms 6
free speech
democratic elections
release of political prisoners
creation of impartial countries
reparation of farmland to private ownership
People who wanted reforms to go further were encouraged by broadcasts on Radio Free Europe. Implied that Hungarian protest was supported by West
Describe USSR’s reaction to Imre Nagy announcing Hungary would leave Warsaw Pact 3 Nov 6
Immediate USSR Reaction 4th Nov, at dawn, 100 USSR tanks moved into Budaest
8:10 they destroyed the Hungarian army & captured Hungarian radio
Hungarian ppl fought for 2 weeks but couldn’t win
Janos Kadar was made Prime Minister of Hungary
1958 Imre Nagy and many of his colleagues were secretly executed
State funeral held for Nagy in 1989 when Communism collapsed
Why did Nikita Khrushchev suddenly get tough on Hungary?
Under pressure form Hardliners & Chinese
Nagy wasn’t just Destalinising but moving towards Capitalism
Nagy threatened to weaken Warsaw Pact
Knew he could crush Hungarian revolution without risking war with West
Why didn’t West help Hungary?
UN suggested investigation that was vetoed by Russia
West regarded Hungary as a “sphere of Soviet influence”
Brit & France occupied with Suez Crisis of 1956
