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Factfile: Hungarian Revolution - Coggle Diagram
Factfile: Hungarian Revolution
People
Khrushchev (USSR)
Rakosi (Hungary Communist)
Nagy (Hungary Communist)
Kadar (Hungary PM)
Cause
Hungary suffered a lot under Soviet control
Food and industrial produce shipped off to Russia, opposition ruthlessly wiped out, Rakosi a ruthless leaser known as the ‘Bald Butcher’
As a result of this communism became very unpopular
Narrative
When Stalin died Khrushchev took over and in his ‘secret speech’ he hinted Soviet control would be relaxed
October 1956 poor harvests meant that Hungarians started demonstrating against communist control
Statues of Stalin were pulled down and communists attached
Khrushchev appointed a more liberal Prime Minister – Nagy
Nagy wanted reforms that involved free elections, UN protection from the Soviet Union and to leave the Warsaw Pact
Khrushchev disapproved, he was concerned if Hungary left the Warsaw Pact other countries would follow. He feared the violent unrest would spread to other satellite states
1956 Soviet troops invaded Hungary. 200,000 troops were sent to depose Nagy and restore order
Consequences
Over 5000 Hungarians were killed and around 1000 Soviet troops. Many Hungarians stayed loyal to Nagy and fought
Nagy and his government were deposed
Nagy was arrested, tried and executed. Khrushchev wanted to prevent rebellions in other countries such as Poland and wanted to make an example out of Nagy
A new leader, Janos Kadar was appointed. He introduced the 15 point programme which aimed to re-establish communist rule in Hungary
Hungarians aware that the US was not prepared to help them, grudgingly accepted this modified form of communist rule
The USA did aid Hungary with medical aid and money, they also accepted 80000 Hungarian
The UN condemned Soviet actions but did nothing
Kadar’s policies were more moderate than those of other satellite states and resulted in Hungary having better living standards than other Eastern European states
Importance
The fact that the USA did not help Hungary with troops (it didn’t want to risk a nuclear war) showed Khrushchev that he could get away with invading satellite states
Satellite states saw that the USA would not defend them against the Soviet Union. Soviet control retightened across Eastern Europe