Summary of Cold War events

The Soviet Empire

The Hungarian uprising 1956

• Repeated protest and riots led to a reformist government led by Imre Nagy.
• Major political reforms were planned, including the withdrawal of Hungary from the Warsaw Pact.
• The Soviets invaded Hungary and brutally crushed the rebellion.
• Nagy was shot, and a new pro-Soviet government was set up.

The Berlin Wall 1961

• The high standard of living in West Berlin contrasted with the hardship in the East.
• Between 1945 and 1960 3 million people had fled from East to West Berlin.
• As this threatened the existence of the East German state, a wall was erected…