Hungary

• Who controlled Hungary after World War II?

  A Communist government led by Matyas Rakosi
• Why did Hungarians hate Matyas Rakosi?

  Because of his brutal rule and the actions of his secret police
• What actions did Rakosi's secret police (AVH) take against opponents?

  They executed and imprisoned thousands of opponents
• What was banned under Rakosi's regime?

  Catholicism was banned
• What was not taught in schools during Rakosi's rule?

  Hungarian history
• What was the economic situation in Hungary during Rakosi's rule?

  Standards of living fell, blamed on the USSR
• What belief contributed to the spread of protests in Hungary?

  The belief that Khrushchev might grant freedom to Eastern Europe
• When did the protests in Hungary start?

  On 23rd October 1956
• What happened to Rakosi during the protests?

  He was forced to "retire"
• Who became the new Prime Minister of Hungary in October 1956?

  Imre Nagy
• What reforms did Imre Nagy want to implement?

  A fairer communist system with free elections and an end to the secret police
• How did the USSR respond to Nagy's reforms?

  They partly accepted them but were alarmed by his desire to leave the Warsaw Pact
• Why was Nagy's desire to leave the Warsaw Pact a concern for the USSR?

  It threatened Soviet security and their buffer zone with Western Europe
• What happened in November 1956 in Budapest?

  Soviet troops and 1,000 tanks arrived
• What did Nagy do in response to the Soviet intervention?

  He appealed to the West for help
• What was the outcome of the uprising in Hungary?

  The uprising was crushed, and Nagy was captured and shot