Hungarian Uprising

• The Hungarian Uprising of 1956 was also triggered by the desire for political freedom and independence from Soviet control.
• The revolution began on October 23, 1956 as students peacefully demonstrated against the authoritarian policies of the Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party and Soviet domination.
• Soviet troops entered Hungary on November 4, 1956 to suppress the uprising.
• Nagy declared neutrality and withdrew Hungary from the Warsaw Pact.
• The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was sparked by student protests against the repressive regime of Imre Nagy.
• On October 23, 1956, thousands of students marched through Budapest demanding greater freedoms and an end to censorship.
• The demonstration turned violent when police opened fire on protesters, leading to widespread rioting and looting.
• The Soviet Union responded with military force, crushing the rebellion and executing or imprisoning many leaders.
• Most Hungarians felt bitter about losing their freedom of speech.
• Hungary remained under Soviet control until the fall of communism in Eastern Europe in 1989-90.
• The Hungarians lived in fear of the secret police
• In October 1956, Soviet troops that have been stationed in Hungary since WW2 were withdrawn
• To replace Soviet power, thousands of local councils were set up, which were elected by the people.
• Nagy's government began to make plans.
• There was widespread optimism that the new USA president Eisenhower would support the new independent Hungary with armed troops when necessary
• When a huge student demonstration occurred on 23rd October, a giant statue of Stalin was pulled down in Budapest
• Khrushchev couldn't accept Hungary leaving the Warsaw Pact and wanted to send in troops
• November 1956 -- thousands of troops and Soviet tanks moved into Budapest.
• Two weeks of bitter fighting followed the November 1956 coup, with 30,000 Hungarians killed.
• The uprising failed because it lacked leadership and organisation, as well as outside military assistance.