The Hungarian Uprising 1956

When was the Hungarian uprising?

1956

Why did the Hungarian people believe they had the freedom to protest?

Khrushchev had made a speech in 1956 criticising Stalin’s repressive regime, giving the Soviet Union satellite states and opportunity to push for the relaxation of control in their own countries.

What were the Hungarian people protesting about

Lack of political freedom, problems created by fuel shortages, poor harvests.

How did Khrushchev innitially appease the Hungarian people

He replaced Rakosi (firm supporter of Stalin’s policies and hardline communist) with Imre Nagy.

What did Imre Nagy propose?

Imre Nagy proposed communism with more personal freedoms. He offered reforms that included Hungary leaving the Warsaw Pact and becoming a neutral country, as well as some power sharing with non-communist groups.

List the reforms Imre Nagy proposed

• Hungary to leave the Warsaw Pact and become a neutral country

• A degree of power sharing with non-communist groups

Why did Nagy’s proposals worry Khrushchev

• If Hungary broke away from the Warsaw Pact, so might other Eastern European countries.

What did Khrushchev do to stop the introduction of new reforms in Hungary

Khrushchev ordered a Soviet invasion of Hungary. Supporters of Nagy put up a fight (20,000 Hungarians killed), and received no support from the West. Nagy executed, communist government set up.

3 main outcomes of the Hungarian uprising

• Establishes Khrushchev as a powerful leader

• Sent a message to other communist countries in the Warsaw Pact

• The West looked weak as they did not come to Hungary’s aid.

Impact of Hungarian Uprising on superpower relations

• Krushchev’s tough policy further damaged relations between the two superpowers.

• Geneva summit had looked like a thaw, but it was short lived as the Hungarian uprising and other events in the 1960s made the Cold War relations ‘even colder’.

1956

Krushchev speech criticising Stalin

1956

Protests in Hungary due to lack of political freedom, poor harvest. Khrushchev replaces Rakosi (communist hardliner) with Nagy.

October 1956

Nagy announces reforms

November 1956

Soviet invasion of Hungary