THE HUNGARIAN REBELLION 1956

What was Hungary’s situation in 1956? Leader - Stalinist, Matyas Rakosi Rakosi’s rule was brutal – - Hanged one communist rival; forced collectivisation on peasants; extended secret police

How did the situation change in 1956? Rakosi out of sympathy with new leadership in Moscow He personally continued to oppose reform July 1956 – Kremlin forces his resignation Hungarian party leadership went to Erno Gero Janos Kadar, cautious reformer, joined politburo Leading reformer Imre Nagy had not been regarded as strong or popular enough to lead

How and in what way did the calls for change alter the situation? Hungarian leadership divided; still Stalinist dominated; no clear direction for national communism Many groups looking for change – students, intellectuals, urban Hungarians. Imre Nagy popular, but refused to organise Events in Poland (in October) encouraged reformers

How and in what way did the calls for change alter the situation? 23 October 1956 – student demonstration in support of Poland held in Budapest Hungarian security police fired on crowds Calls for Nagy from crowds Gero agreed Soviet intervention 24 October – Hungarian Politburo appointed Nagy Prime Minister, with Gero still as First Secretary

Why did these events lead to a crisis? Communist party had clearly lost support of the people Budapest demonstartion spread through Hungary – potentially national rebellion Soviet emissaries arrived on 24 October They agreed with Nagy that Soviet intervention had been a mistake

Why did these events lead to a crisis? Gero dismissed by Soviets – Kadar took over as First Secretary Soviets hoping for ‘Polish solution’ Soviet tanks withdrew from Budapest This backfired – instead of calming situation, it created belief in success of protests and fuelled further calls for change

Why did these events lead to a crisis? Nagy tried to ride tide of Hungarian nationalism 30 October – Nagy agrees multi-party system for Hungary Then decided to withdraw Hungary from Warsaw Pact Kremlin decided to act

What action was taken by the Soviet Union? International situation favourable for Kremlin action (Suez) Kadar broke from Nagy – left Budapest 3 November – Soviet tanks return to Budapest Civilian resistance Tanks demolish buildings; 20,000 killed

What was the aftermath? Nagy tried and executed West had not intervened, but Soviet communist credibility damaged, especially on left Hungarian refugees fled west Kadar returned to Budapest to pick up pieces.

What was the long-term impact of Kadar’s rule? He was ultimately able to reform Hungarian economy Accepted key Kremlin requirements Hungary eventually became most liberal and prosperous of the communist states Kadar eventually forced out when communism fell.