Hungarian Uprising 1956

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Background to the uprising: 'The Thaw'

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Josef Stalin died in March 1953. By 1955, Nikita Khrushchev emerged as the leader, suggesting a thaw in the Cold War.

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Khrushchev's actions in 1955-56

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1. Visited Yugoslavia and apologized for Stalin's treatment. 2. Denounced Stalin's policies in the Secret Speech. 3. Began de-Stalinisation. 4. Ordered the breakup of Cominform.

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Impact of Khrushchev's Secret Speech

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Listened to by Iron Curtain countries, it sparked hope for a more relaxed government system.

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Causes of the uprising in Hungary 1956: Poverty

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Much of Hungary's food and goods were sent to the Soviet Union, despite the country's poverty.

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Causes of the uprising in Hungary 1956: Yugoslavia's support

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Yugoslavian leader Mátyás Rákosi appeared to support troublemakers.

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Causes of the uprising in Hungary 1956: Promises from the West

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Hungarians believed the UN or US President Eisenhower would support them.

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Causes of the uprising in Hungary 1956: The Catholic Church

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The Communist Party had banned the Catholic Church.

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Causes of the uprising in Hungary 1956: Nationalism

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Hungarians were very patriotic and resented Soviet control.

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24 October 1956

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Soviets agreed to a new government under Imre Nagy, a liberal communist leader.

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4 November 1956

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6,000 Soviet tanks crossed the Hungarian border; 30,000 were killed.