Soviet Control of Eastern Europe - Hungarian Uprising -

The USSR was a collection of 15 Republics

After WWII the USSR had created a ‘sphere of influence’ by creating a bloc of ‘satellite states’ in Eastern Europe.

In 1949 the USSR created a military alliance with Eastern bloc countries called the Warsaw Pact.

Winston Churchill referred to the creation of the Soviet ‘sphere of influence’ as the ‘Iron Curtain’.

The Hungarian uprising occurred in 1956

The Hungarian uprising was in response to democratic reforms being proposed by Matyas Rakosi.

Hungary welcomed the Soviet (USSR’s) attempt to ‘Russify’ Hungarian society.

Hungarians believed Khrushchev’s Destalinisation speech meant they could enact some reforms within Hungary.

The Hungarian Secret Police (AVO) had imprisoned over 100,000 Hungarians.

Hungarians had misinterpreted Khrushchev’s sentiments behind his talk of ‘peaceful coexistence’

Under Socialism (communism) Hungary enjoyed the highest standard of living in the Eastern Bloc. Industry and agriculture were thriving.

Khrushchev forced Rakosi to step down (June 56) and replaced him with Gero.

A demonstration on 23 October by students, demanded the end of the Soviet occupation (By the Red Army)

Statues of Stalin were pulled down and students chanted ‘Russians go home’

In response to these developments- Khrushchev had Imre Nagy appointed as Hungary’s leader.

Nagy called for reforms to the communist system, including free elections and the withdrawal of Red Army troops.

To ease Khrushchev’s concerns- Nagy said Hungary would not leave the Warsaw Pact.

The Soviets ordered 1000 tanks into Hungary / Budapest on November 4, 1956

The response of the Hungarians to the Soviet invasion was one of ‘passive resistance’

In 2 weeks of fierce resistance - 3000 Hungarians were killed

Nagy was arrested and spent the rest of his life in a Moscow prison.

Hungary remained a member of the Warsaw Pact.

The West tried to support Hungary by sending them arms and military advisers

The West were too distracted by a crisis over the Suez Canal to be able to do anything more than condemn the Soviet invasion.

The Hungarian communist party reported in June 1958 that Imre Nagy was tried and sentenced to death for counter-revolutionary activities and high treason.