Oct-Nov 1956
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was the first major popular uprising agains Soviet regime. It was put down ruthlessly by the army of Soviet Union and its leaders were executed.
A Destroyer T-34-85 Tank At the Móricz Zsigmond Aquare. Unknown Photographer (1956)
Background
Nikita Khrushchev’s infamous speech at the Twentieth Party Congress (1956) had far-reaching consequences. His open criticism about Stalin gave people hope of more freedom and different shades of socialism.
One of such critics was Hungarian Congress leader Imre Nagy who ruled from 1953. His replacing in 1955 with the hardline Stalinist Matyas Rakosi added more social tensions in society.
Revolution
Followed by the industrial strikes of Poznan in Poland, Hungarian people also came to the streets in Oct 1956. They demanded more freedom and Imre Nagy to return. It was then that the Russian tanks were seen on the streets of Budapest. Nevertheless the first stage of revolution was won by the public.
On 1 Nov 1956, Imre Nagy declared Hungary’s neutrality and independence from the Warsaw Pact and turned to United Nations for international help.
Help did not arrive and Russia invaded Hungary on 4 Nov 1956, placing a hardline communist, Janos Kadar in front of the party.
Imre Nagy was arrested and secretly executed two years later.
Hungarian Revolution
Oct-Nov 1956
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 was the first major popular uprising agains Soviet regime. It was put down ruthlessly by the army of Soviet Union and its leaders were executed.
A Destroyer T-34-85 Tank At the Móricz Zsigmond Aquare. Unknown Photographer (1956)
Background
Nikita Khrushchev’s infamous speech at the Twentieth Party Congress (1956) had far-reaching consequences. His open criticism about Stalin gave people hope of more freedom and different shades of socialism.
One of such critics was Hungarian Congress leader Imre Nagy who ruled from 1953. His replacing in 1955 with the hardline Stalinist Matyas Rakosi added more social tensions in society.
Revolution
Followed by the industrial strikes of Poznan in Poland, Hungarian people also came to the streets in Oct 1956. They demanded more freedom and Imre Nagy to return. It was then that the Russian tanks were seen on the streets of Budapest. Nevertheless the first stage of revolution was won by the public.
On 1 Nov 1956, Imre Nagy declared Hungary’s neutrality and independence from the Warsaw Pact and turned to United Nations for international help.
Help did not arrive and Russia invaded Hungary on 4 Nov 1956, placing a hardline communist, Janos Kadar in front of the party.
Imre Nagy was arrested and secretly executed two years later.
Cuban Missile Crisis