Soviet control in Hungary

• After Stalin died, Soviet leader Khrushchev indicated Soviet control would relax. But when Hungary started to move away from Soviet influence, the Soviet Union tightened its control for fear that if Hungary left the Warsaw Pact, other countries would follow
• Rakosi was a brutal ruler. He called himself ‘Stalin’s best pupil’ but was known as the ‘Bald Butcher’
• Hungary suffered a lot under Stalins control. Resources were sent to Russia and any opposition in Hungary was ruthlessly wiped out
• In 1956, Krushchev's ' secret speech ' suggested that Soviet Union control would relax
• Many Hungarians mistakenly believed that the end of Stalin’s rule would bring an end to communism in Hungary, especially as Soviet troops had already withdrawn from neighbouring Austria.
• In October 1956, poor harvests and bread shortages meant that Hungarians started demonstrating against communist control with statues of Stalin pulled down and local communists attacked.
• What Nagy wanted for Hungary

  Leave the Warsaw Pact and become a neutral country.

  • Hold free elections leading to no more single-party communist government.

  • UN protection from the Soviet Union.
• Nagy becoming Prime Minister of Hungary was a problem for the Soviet Union because his ideas e.g. leaving the Warsaw Pact might make other countries follow, leading the Warsaw Pact to collaps