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THE HUNGARIAN REBELLION

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?.

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THE HUNGARIAN REBELLION

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  1. THE HUNGARIAN REBELLION 1956

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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.

  11. 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.

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