Hungarian Uprising

Created by: Qiao-Chu
Created on: 25-03-13 21:11


	Hungarian Uprising
	Causes Hungary treated as defeated country by Soviets after WW2 and reparations were taken Communist government under Rakosi who was strict follower of Stalin's rules. Eliminated opposition After Stalin's death, Rakosi replaced by Imre Nagy, but 1955 Rakosi re-seized power June 1956 riots encouraged Khrushchev to support the Hungarians oppose against Rakosi, who was hated because of secret police AVH AVH executed 2000 opponents and imprisoned over 200000 Protested against falling standard of living and increased poverty which they blamed on Soviet policies Seen as opportunity to end Soviet domination and improve relations with West. Also improve economy and higher standard level of living	Effects USSR claimed entered Hungary to support Kadar and Hungarian patriots, who formed revolutionary workers to oppose Nagy Soviets claimed they were forced to because Nagy's government were dominated by fascist mob financed by imperialist West UN did not find evidence of popular support in Hungary for Kadar's new government during investigation into uprising 2500 - 30000 Hungarians killed, mostly civilians, 700 Soviet troops 200000 refugees fled Hungary to settle in West No active support for Hungarians in West, Americans only protested Other satellite states scared to challenge Soviet authority Khrushchev strengthened position in USSR and showed 'peaceful existence' has limits Marked stalemate in Cold War, respected spheres of influences
	Overall summary Protests increased and October riots broke out in Budapest. Five day street fighting and Stalin's statue pulled down and dragged through streets, prisoners released. Only security police remained loyal to USSR. Rakosi forced to resign and Soviet tanks moved in. Popular Nagy became Prime Minister and tanks withdrew. Hungarians celebrated victory, it seems as if a satellite state has defeated USSR. Government began to make reforms, leading to free elections, end of secret police and removal of Soviet army of occupation. Khrushchev accepted until Nagy demanded right for Hungary to withdraw from Warsaw Pact and become neutral in Cold War. Free elections would mean end of communism in Hungary and gap in Iron Curtain, buffer zone broken. Soviet troops re-entered on 1st November, reached Budapest by 4th. Over 1000 tanks to crush uprising. Nagy appealed to West but no help came. Soviets seized radio station and no organised defence after the 4th. Two weeks of street fighting, then new pro-Soviet government under Kadar. Nagy captured and promised free passage out of Hungary but later shot. Changes made to avoid repeat of events, but Hungary back in Soviet control.

Hungarian Uprising

Causes

Hungary treated as defeated country by Soviets after WW2 and reparations were taken
Communist government under Rakosi who was strict follower of Stalin's rules. Eliminated opposition
After Stalin's death, Rakosi replaced by Imre Nagy, but 1955 Rakosi re-seized power
June 1956 riots encouraged Khrushchev to support the Hungarians oppose against Rakosi, who was hated because of secret police AVH
AVH executed 2000 opponents and imprisoned over 200000
Protested against falling standard of living and increased poverty which they blamed on Soviet policies
Seen as opportunity to end Soviet domination and improve relations with West. Also improve economy and higher standard level of living

Effects

USSR claimed entered Hungary to support Kadar and Hungarian patriots, who formed revolutionary workers to oppose Nagy
Soviets claimed they were forced to because Nagy's government were dominated by fascist mob financed by imperialist West
UN did not find evidence of popular support in Hungary for Kadar's new government during investigation into uprising
2500 - 30000 Hungarians killed, mostly civilians, 700 Soviet troops
200000 refugees fled Hungary to settle in West
No active support for Hungarians in West, Americans only protested
Other satellite states scared to challenge Soviet authority
Khrushchev strengthened position in USSR and showed 'peaceful existence' has limits
Marked stalemate in Cold War, respected spheres of influences

Overall summary

Protests increased and October riots broke out in Budapest. Five day street fighting and Stalin's statue pulled down and dragged through streets, prisoners released. Only security police remained loyal to USSR. Rakosi forced to resign and Soviet tanks moved in. Popular Nagy became Prime Minister and tanks withdrew. Hungarians celebrated victory, it seems as if a satellite state has defeated USSR.
Government began to make reforms, leading to free elections, end of secret police and removal of Soviet army of occupation. Khrushchev accepted until Nagy demanded right for Hungary to withdraw from Warsaw Pact and become neutral in Cold War. Free elections would mean end of communism in Hungary and gap in Iron Curtain, buffer zone broken.
Soviet troops re-entered on 1st November, reached Budapest by 4th. Over 1000 tanks to crush uprising. Nagy appealed to West but no help came. Soviets seized radio station and no organised defence after the 4th. Two weeks of street fighting, then new pro-Soviet government under Kadar. Nagy captured and promised free passage out of Hungary but later shot. Changes made to avoid repeat of events, but Hungary back in Soviet control.

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Hungarian Uprising