Hungary

• Who denounced Stalin as a murderous tyrant in 1956?

  Khrushchev - in his February 1956 'Secret Speech'
• What policy did Khrushchev begin after denouncing Stalin?

  De-Stalinisation (1955-56)
• What concept did Khrushchev promote in his speech in 1956?

  Peaceful co-existence - "There are two ways: either peaceful co-existence or the most destructive war in history"
• What was the year of the Hungarian Uprising?

  1956
• Who was the communist teacher installed by Moscow in Hungary?

  Rákosi (1947-1956)
• What was Nagy's stance compared to Rákosi?

  Less pro-Moscow
• What happened to Nagy after the uprising?

  He was executed
• Who replaced Nagy after the uprising?

  Kádár
• What did Khrushchev begin in 1956?

  De-Stalinisation
• What event in June 1956 inspired the Hungarian Uprising?

  Anti-Moscow riots in Poland
• What did students, workers, and soldiers do on 15 October 1956?

  Protested by smashing Stalin's statue
• What did Nagy request from Khrushchev on 24 October 1956?

  To withdraw Russian troops from Hungary
• What reforms did the new Hungarian government introduce?

  Democracy, freedom of speech, religion - roman catholic leader was freed from prison ( Cardinal Mindzenty)
• When did Hungary announce leaving the Warsaw Pact?

  1 November 1956
• How many Soviet tanks entered Budapest on 4 November 1956?

  1,000
• What was the estimated number of Hungarians killed during the uprising?

  3,000 however the media exaggerated it and reported that 30,000 were killed
• What economic conditions did Hungarians face post-uprising?

  Poverty and high unemployment
• What did many Eastern Europeans hope for after the "Secret Speech"?

  Reform and concessions
• What was a significant cultural issue for Hungarians?

  Religious repression by COMINFORM
• Who was Cardinal Mindszenty?

  A religious critic imprisoned in Hungary
• What did Hungarians believe about Western help?

  That the US, UN, and Yugoslavia would assist
• What was the consequence of the Hungarian Uprising for Kádár?

  He reversed all of Nagy's reforms
• What did the Soviet response to the uprising indicate about their influence?

  Clear limitations on West's intervention
• What was the impact of the uprising on other Soviet satellite states?

  Less likely to challenge Soviet power
• What was the last country to join the Cominform?

  Czechoslovakia
• nationalism


  Hungarians were patriotic and disliked not being able to celebrate their history and culture
• religion

  • Hungary was a devote catholic country and it was taken away from them
  • disliked the religious repression enforced by the COMINFORM
• Poland Riots

  • encouraged the forced resignation of Rakosi
  • June 1956 inspired Hungarian students (TRIGGER)
• Consequences

  1. pro-soviet Kadar reverses all of Nagy's reforms
  2. Extra Warsaw pact forces were put into Hungary 2->4 and Hungary had to pay. Warsaw pact strengthened.
  3. De-Stalinisation stops. any talks of thaw was nt real
  4. other satellite states were less likely to challenge soviet power and repression
  5. Military Victory for Khrushchev (improves his image for many pro-soviets)
  6. Clear limitations on West's intervention - clear recognition of spheres of influence