How Secure Was The Ussr’S Control Over Eastern Europe

Destalinisation and Hungary

Task

Factors that caused the violence in 1956

How this factor caused

violence

Importance

Actions of the Hungarian governments before 1956.

The actions of Imre Nagy    

Actions of opponents to Communism inside Hungary

Actions of international ‘imperialists’, led by the USA

Actions of the USSR    

Khrushchev’s de-Stalinisation policies.

The USSR and Eastern Europe

Why was the control of Eastern Europe so important? Provided a buffer between USSR and the Western

powers. However, the USSR began to disintegrate over the

later half of the twentieth century along with their control over Eastern Europe.

Hungary was one of several countries that began to resent the USSR’s totalitarian regime and resisted. This resulted in the Hungarian uprising in 1956.

N.B – what does ‘totalitarian’ mean?

Background to the uprising

Proud nation with a strong national identity.

Before 1918 played key part in running Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Nationalists discontent after WW II.

Hungary under Stalin

Stalin increased anti-Soviet feelings.

Elections in November 1945 communists got less than 20% but were still put in govenment.

1947 election rigged so communists won.

Opponents treated ruthlessly – Laszlo Rajk hanged in 1949. Laszlo Rajk on trial

After Stalin

Death of Stalin in 1953 brought uncertainty.

Hungary ruled with considerable brutality by Matyas Rakosi during Stalinist years.

Forced to call popular reformer Imre Nagy into government in 1953.

Rakosi, though, threw Nagy out in 1955.

Erno Gero eventually replaced Rakosi in 1956. Burning images of

Rakosi

1956

February – Khrushchev criticised Stalin. June – anti-Soviet demonstrations in Poland.

Khrushchev allows reforms and appoints Gomulka, who was imprisoned by Stalin, as new leader.

October – Gero replaced by Nagy as Prime Minister.

Changes under Nagy: the uprising

He started giving land back to farmers.

He got rid of the AVH (secret police).

Workers set up revolutionary councils. They demanded free multi-party elections and free press.

Final straw was Hungary wishing to leave the Warsaw Pact.

USSR enters Hungary

Communists suspected USA involvement in Hungary decision to withdraw from Warsaw Pact.

In fact, there was no anti-Soviet plot.

4th November USSR sent in 200,000 soldiers and 2,500 tanks.

Hungary appealed to West for help, though they only offered sympathy. Truman Doctrine a policy only for containment.

The fighting

Nagy called upon Hungarian forces to resist the Soviet forces.

Bitter fighting lasted two weeks.

There were over 2000 Soviet causalities and around 4000 Hungarians killed.

200,000 fled their homes.

After the uprising

Janos Kadar made leader. Supporters of Rising severely

punished. Nagy was secretly executed.

Rising showed East Europeans states that USA could not be relied upon for help.

Communists around the world were dismayed by Soviets actions. China became wary of Moscow.

UN shown to be weak. Janos Kadar

Task

Complete “Activity” on p.79