Unit 1.3 - The Hungarian Uprising 1956

Question 1

When did the Hungarian Uprising occur?

Answer 1

1956

Question 2

Impact of Soviet Rule in Hungary

Answer 2

• Hungary suffered a lot under Stalin’s control.
• Food and industrial products that were produced there were shipped off to Russia.
• Any opposition in Hungary was ruthlessly wiped out.
• Food shortages.
• Lack of political Freedom.
• Matyas Rakosi (leader of Hungary in 1947-56) was a brutal ruler, and called himself “Stalin’s best pupil”.
• Due to the widespread suffering, the communist rule became very unpopular.

Question 3

Destalinisation - ‘Khrushchev’s secret speech’

Answer 3

Destalinisation meant that the Soviet Union no longer saw itself as a dictatorship.

When Stalin died, Khrushchev took over as Soviet Leader. In 1956, i his ‘secret speech’, Khrushchev hinted that Soviet control would relax, and denouncing Stalin.

Question 4

The Hungarian Uprising

Answer 4

Hungarians bean demonstrating against communist control with statues of Stalin pulled down and local communists attached.

Question 5

Imre Nagy

Answer 5

Khrushchev appointed a more liberal Prime Minister for Hungary - Imre Nagy - in the hope that the situation would be soothed.

Question 6

Nagy’s Demands

Answer 6

Once appointed Nagy wanted the following reforms for Hungary:

To include non-communists in parliment.
End the one-party government in Hungary.

Immediate release of political prisoners.

UN protection from the Soviet Union.

Leave the Warsaw Pact and become a neutral country.

Question 7

Khrushchev’s response to the demands

Answer 7

If Nagy succeeded in Hungary, other countries in Eastern Europe would follow and the Warsaw Pact would collapse.
He orders an invasion of Hungary: 200 00 Soviet troops to depose Nagy and restore order.

Question 8

Consequences of the Soviet invasion of Hungary

Answer 8

5000 Hungarians were killed as a result of the invasion (many Hungarian soldiers loyal to Nagy and the revolution fought against Soviet troops).

Nagy and his government deposed.

Imre Nagy was arrested, tried and executed - Khrushchev made an example of Nagy for other leaders of satellite states.

A new leader, JANOS KADAR, was appointed He introduced the Fifteen Point Programme which aimed to re-establish communist rule in Hungary - Hungarians, aware that the U.S. was not prepared to help them , grudgingly accepted this form of communist rule.

Question 9

International Reactions and Consequences

Answer 9

1. UN condemned Soviet actions.
2. USA supported Hungary’s uprising with money, medical aid and WORDS.
3. The USA couldn’t send troops: would risk nuclear war.
4. Hungary was on its own against the Soviet Union: they had to give in.
5. Satellite states saw that the USA would not defend against the Soviet Union. Soviet control retightened across the East - Khrushchev held a greater power over Satellite States.