THE HUNGARIAN UPRISING OF 1956. WHAT SPARKED IT?

The toppled statue of Stalin in Hungary during the 1956 uprising.

The Hungarian Uprising of 1956 was a significant event in the history of Europe. It marked a turning point in the Soviet Union's control over Eastern Europe, and it demonstrated the willingness of ordinary people to challenge authoritarian rule.

There were many reasons for the Hungarian Uprising, but here are five important ones:

1. Political Repression: Hungary was under Soviet occupation following World War II, and the government was controlled by the Communist Party. This led to political repression, with anyone who opposed the regime being arrested, imprisoned, or executed. The brutal Hungarian Communist Matyas Rakosi was the focus of the ire for many Hungarians, as he used his infamous 'salami tactics' to destroy any semblance of opposition to the regime. As historian Paul Lendvai notes, "The communist dictatorship had created a nation of informers, and the secret police had infiltrated every aspect of society."
   
   
   
2. Economic Hardship: The Hungarian economy was in shambles, with food and consumer goods shortages being commonplace. Wages were low, and living standards were poor. As historian Istvan Deak explains, "Hungary was a poor country, and the communist system was not able to improve the economy, which led to widespread dissatisfaction."
   
   
   
3. Nationalism: Hungarians had a strong sense of national identity and resented being ruled by a foreign power. The government's attempts to suppress Hungarian culture and language only fueled this nationalism. As historian Peter Kenez notes, "The communist government was seen as an occupier, and this fueled a sense of Hungarian nationalism." For many Eastern European nations, the end of WW2 had simply seen the transfer of power from one foreign occupier to another, from the Nazis to the Soviet Communists. 
   
   
   
4. Khrushchev's Reforms: In 1956, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev began a series of reforms aimed at liberalizing the Soviet Union. This gave hope to Hungarians that they too could achieve greater freedom. As historian Mark Kramer notes, "Khrushchev's reforms raised expectations in Hungary, and when they were not met, it led to frustration and anger."
   
   
   
5. Student Protests: On October 23, 1956, a peaceful student demonstration in Budapest turned violent when police opened fire on the crowd. This sparked widespread protests and riots across the country. As historian Anne Applebaum explains, "The students were the catalyst for the uprising, and their demands for greater freedom and democracy were embraced by the wider population."
   
   
   

In conclusion, the Hungarian Uprising of 1956 was a complex event with many causes. Political repression, economic hardship, nationalism, Khrushchev's reforms, and student protests were all factors that contributed to the uprising. As historian Paul Lendvai notes, "The Hungarian Uprising was a turning point in European history, marking the beginning of the end of Soviet domination in Eastern Europe."

Written by Versus History Guest Blogger Felicity Gresham.