the hungarian crisis 1956 l/o – to identify the causes, events and effects of the hungarian...
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The Hungarian Crisis 1956
L/O – To identify the causes, events and effects of the Hungarian Uprising
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Hungary under Stalin 1949-53• Hungary was liberated by Soviet troops
after WW2 and in 1949, COMINFORM imposed an oppressive communist regime on Hungary.
• Land was redistributed to other Eastern European countries.• Hungarian coal, oil and wheat were
shipped to Russia.• Non-communist parties were abolished.• COMINFORM began a reign of terror,
executing political leaders and supported.• Matyas Rakosi was appointed as dictator.
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Matyas Rakosi – Hungary’s Dictator• Rakosi was dictator from 1949-1956. He
described himself as ‘Stalin’s best pupil’ but Hungarians nicknamed him ‘the bald butcher’.
• He was famous for what he called ‘salami tactics’. He dealt with his opposition ‘slice by slice’, i.e. dividing his opposition bit by bit.
• His regime imprisoned over 380,000 and was responsible for more than 2,000 deaths. He effectively introduced a Stalinist police state.
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Peaceful Co-existence• Stalin died in 1953 and in the resulting power
struggle, Nikita Krushchev became leader of the USSR.
• Stalin and ‘Stalinism’ was responsible for more than 20 million deaths of his own people during his reign of terror. Most victims were innocent.
• Krushchev sought a more liberal approach to government and sought to distance himself from Stalinism. He gave a ‘secret speech’ in 1956 promising ‘peaceful co-existence’ with the West and an end to Stalinism.
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Hungarian Protests• Krushchev’s ‘Secret Speech’ was interpreted
by many in Eastern Europe as an end to Soviet Rule. People believed that Krushchev would let them rule themselves.
• In Hungary, students rioted and attacked Soviet troops with petrol bombs and grenades. It was illegal to demonstrate by law but huge demonstrations took place in Budapest.
• The protests became violent and police lost control. Protests began to spread to other cities in Hungary.
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Nagy’s Reform Programme• In response, Khruschev agreed to the
appointment of a more liberal leader, Imre Nagy. Nagy proposed reforms:
• Hungary should leave the Warsaw Pact and become neutral.• Communist government in Hungary should
end.• Hungary should became a Western-style
democracy with free elections.• Hungary should ask the UN for protection
from Russia.
How do you think
Khrushchev would react
to these proposals?
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Khrushchev responds to Nagy• The reforms essentially ended Hungary’s
alliance with the USSR. Khrushchev believed this was unacceptable and if Hungary left the Warsaw Pact, others would soon follow.
• Khrushchev knew that people were unhappy with communism across Eastern Europe. To allow greater freedom for these countries would mean the end to Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe.
• In Nov 1956, he sent 200,000 Soviet troops and tanks to crush Nagy’s government. 20,000 Hungarians were killed and 200,000 escaped to Austria.
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Nagy’s trial and execution• Nagy sought protection in the
Yugoslavian embassy but was arrested by Soviet troops when he tried to leave.
• He was accused of treason and was found guilty in a trial overseen by Khruschev. He was hanged in June 1958.
• Khrushchev stated that Nagy’s execution was ‘a lesson to the leaders of all socialist countries’.
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International Reaction• America had encouraged the uprising
and gave economic support. $20 million worth of food and medical aid.
• New US President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-61) praised the bravery of the Hungarian people and encouraged them to fight on.
• The UN officially condemned the Soviet invasion but did nothing more.
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International Reaction• The US stopped short of offering military
help. The American government believed it was ‘a matter of highest priority to prevent the outbreak of a war’, which could lead to nuclear war.
• American’s failure to support the Hungarians proved that is commitment to liberating Europe from communism did not include offering military support.
• This discouraged other radicals in Eastern Europe from following Hungary’s example.
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Reasserting Soviet control• Khrushchev appointed Janos Kadar as
the new Hungarian leader. Kadar had no real power as Hungary was under the control of the Soviet army.
• But he did published a 15-point programme of reform:• Re-establish communist control of
Hungary• Use Hungarian troops to stop attacks on
Soviet forces• Remain in the Warsaw Pact• Negotiate the withdrawal of Soviet
troops.