1
What country did the Hungarians rise up against?
What kind of problems did Hungarians face under the Rakosi regime?
No free speech, censorship of newspapers. and the secret police or AVH was ubiquitous and controlling.
What did the Soviets do to the Hungarian economy that weakened it and led to poverty?
Focused on heavy industry for building things for the Soviet people, not helping the Hungarians.
When did Stalin die?
1953
Who was a reform-minded communist who became prime minister in 1953 (after Stalin's death)?
Imre Nagy
A few weeks in October and November 1956.
Which kind of people gathered in October 23rd, 1956 and marched for reform and free speech?
What does the Revolution of 1956 symbolize for Hungarians? Which year did communism fall in Hungary?
It still symbolizes the resistance against oppression and the desire for national independence. Communism fell in 1989.
For about how many days did Hungary experience some freedom and hope before the Soviets put down the revolution?
About 10 days
How many Hungarians fled the country?
About 200,000 fled to Austria and other Western nations.
Joseph Stalin
What happened to the crowd of protesters after they broadcast their 16 demands over the radio?
The secret police fired into the crowd, the citizens and students took to the streets and a huge statue of Stalin was torn down.
16 demands, including free elections and national independence.
Hungarians in 1956 were inspired by which countries' citizens protesters who wanted reform?
Poland
What happened on November 4, 1956
Soviet tanks rolled into Hungary and crushed the revolution
What kind of government was the Soviet Union, and by extension, Hungary after WWII?
Communist
Who briefly came back to power after the first part of the revolution surprised the Soviets?
Imre Nagy
What did Imre Nagy try to do to help Hungarians after 1953?
He tried ending farming collectivization, freeing political prisoners and allowing more free speech.
Did Imre Nagy survive after the Soviets crushed the Revolution?
No, he was executed.
What happened during the revolution that turned it from a peaceful demonstration into a full-scale uprising?
The crowd tried to broadcast their demands over the radio.
Who led the new communist Hungarian government?
Matyas Rakosi
How long did Imre Nagy rule?
2 years from 1953-55
Why did Imre Nagy leave power?
Hardline communists forced him out because he wanted too much reform.
Who was Janos Kadar?
The new and very strict hardline leader who promised "peace and order" and followed Moscow's demands.
What did Hungarians demand in 1956 that led to the Revolution?
Freedom of speech,withdrawal of Soviet troops, and the return to power of Imre Nagy