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Many consider the Hungarian Uprising in 1956 the nation’s greatest tragedy. This utmost The Uprising, also commonly referred to as the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, represented a clearly spontaneous revolt by the Hungarian people against the ruling Stalinist regime and Communist party at the time, both of which . The Uprising was in turn were crippling response to post-war Hungary’s crippling development under Moscow’s Soviet policies and the Russian oppression. Although the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 comprised consisted of several major events, undoubtedly, it did begin began with the vast students’ protests on October 23 in Budapest and it was . The protests were quickly, though fiercely, crushed only a few weeks later with the infamous proclamation by the Soviet-backed Janos Kadar on November 11 announcing that he had killed the Uprising.

Nowadays , it is a National Holiday when commemorations take place in Budapest and entire Hungary to remind Hungarian people Hungarians of their brave historic revolt against the communists’ Soviet oppression and Soviet ruled system. Furthermore, later in 1989, after the fall of communism, Hungary symbolically declared a republic on October 23, as well. Thus, “Day of the Republic” turned into a memorial recognition of the nationwide heroism's Hungarian emblematic act of nationwide heroism.

====Pre-existing conditions for the revolt in the post-war Hungary====In 1945, the residents of Poland, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria , and the other countries in the region, welcomed the Soviet troops pouring in Eastern Europe in pursuit of to pursue the fleeing German Army as liberators. Unfortunately, soon enough , the euphoria died out with the quick realization that Stalin did not intend to withdraw from Eastern Europe after the Germany's defeat of Germany. Instead, the absolute Soviet ruler was planning to turn the region in into Russian satellite friendly nations.<ref>Hungarian history: War and renewed defeat -https://www.britannica.com/place/Hungary/History#ref411390</ref> Furthermore, like many of its neighboring countries in the region, in 1949 , the Russians coerced and effectively forced Hungarians to sign a mutual assistance treaty with the Soviet Union, granting them rights to enforce a continued military presence and thereby assure ultimate political control. Gradually the communists shifted power transferring it from the freely elected Hungarian government Independent Smallholders Party to the Soviet-backed Hungarian Socialist Worker’s Party led by the infamous and sinister Matyas Rakosi.

A man of Stalin’s ilk, Rakosi , initiated his relentless Soviet-backed authoritarian regime over Hungary and set about communizing the country and purging the nation of dissidents, arresting or executing his political opponents often mercilessly and without proper trials. Meanwhile, his mishandling of the economy and huge expenditures for militarization of the regime 's militarization unsurprisingly led to drastic falls of in virtually every Hungarian quality of life for virtually every Hungarian.

However, following Stalin’s death in 1953 , the Soviet block started to weaken with riots in East Berlin and Poland in the following year.<ref>1956 Hungarian Uprising: Post War Hungary & Sowing The Seeds of Dissent - http://www.local-life.com/budapest/articles/1956-hungarian-uprising</ref> Furthermore, Hungarian conditions got a little improved when the same year Moscow forced Rakosi to also resign in 1953. The far more liberal Imre Nagy became the leader of Hungary and declared a new, more liberal government program, which that aimed at increasing the standard of living and easing the farmers' burdens of farmers. Nagy promised a new course – ending the heavy industry's forced development of the heavy industry, providing more consumer goods, no more forcing of peasants into the collectives, the release of political prisoners, and the closing of internment camps. Introducing However, introducing these reforms, however, Moscow hesitated to support him for being well too liberal at the time. Nagy started a positive change in the politics by a thorough review of the illegally condemned nationals’ cases.

On the other hand, the members of the previous leadership members feared their vanishing privileges and that they would be accounted for their prior unjust deeds. Meanwhile, former Hungarian communist leader Rakosi had held a decent political power post as General Secretary of Hungarian Workers Party in the background. Unsurprisingly, the members of the previous leadership backed Rakosi , who convinced the Russian party leaders that Nagy’s program endangered the very state of the socialist-communist system in Hungary. <ref>October 23 , 1956 , Revolution - http://www.budapestbylocals.com/event/23rd-october-1956-revolution/</ref>Moscow ordered Nagy to withdraw his government program, but he refused to cooperate. As Nagy set about releasing anti-Communists from jail and removing state control of the media, Rakosi campaigned against him. Soviets quickly discredited and denounced Nagy, removed him from power , and quickly excluded him from the communist party. Rakosi then once more became the nation’s leading politician. However, Nikita Khrushchev who had succeeded Stalin in Kremlin, shortly removed him from power denouncing Stalin and all of his close followers acknowledging their mistakes endangering the very socialist-communist regime. Nevertheless, before stepping down, Rakosi secured the appointment of his close follower Erno Gero as the new General Secretary of Hungarian Workers Party. The political leadership with Erno Gero – the former second in command of Rakosi cabinet – did not aim at conducting any reforms, while more and more Hungarians were demanding real changes. Therefore, the scene was still ripe for unrest.

FurthermoreHowever, it turned out that the events Nikita Khrushchev, who had succeeded Stalin in Poland were the trigger for the Hungarian Revolution. Although the Polish government forces violently put down the staged mass protest of Poznan workers earlier in June 1956Kremlin, shortly removed him from power, the Soviets in Moscow were worried denouncing Stalin and they let Poland his close followers to negotiate wider autonomy and liberalization in order to avoid further unrest. A year earlier Austria had also managed to declare itself neutral and avoid joining acknowledge their mistakes, endangering the Warsaw Pactvery socialist-communist regime. In turnNevertheless, many Hungarians hoped to achieve something similarbefore stepping down, and when students from Rakosi secured his close follower Erno Gero as the Budapest Technical University (who had become a strong political voice) heard that new General Secretary of the Hungarian Writers Union planned to express solidarity Workers Party. The political leadership with pro-reform movements Erno Gero – the former second in Polandcommand of the Rakosi cabinet – did not aim at conducting any reforms, they decided to join themwhile more and more Hungarians were demanding real changes. Therefore, the scene was still ripe for unrest.

====Furthermore, it turned out that the events in Poland were the trigger for the Hungarian protests vs Soviet violence – first wave of Russian tanks enter Budapest====The tension reached its peak in October 1956Revolution. On Although the evening of October 22, Polish government forces violently put down Poznan workers' staged mass protest earlier in June 1956, students of the University of Technology Soviets in Budapest had decided to demonstrate the next dayMoscow were worried. They organized their demands in 16 point resolution, which included: withdrawal of the Soviet troops from Hungary; granting free elections, liberty of speech and press; abolishment of surrendering of goods let Poland negotiate wider autonomy and the right liberalization to sell Hungarian uranium deposits on the free market; removal of the Stalin statues; Imre Nagy to be appointed prime ministeravoid further unrest. In the late afternoon of October 23A year earlier, 1956, over 50 000 people gathered at the statue of Hungarian General Bem Austria had also managed to demonstrate on the streets declare itself neutral and read out their proclamation of independence together with avoid joining the Hungarian Writers UnionWarsaw Pact. In the following hoursturn, the crowd marched across the Danube many Hungarians hoped to demonstrate outside achieve something similar. When students from the Hungarian parliament where people demanded Imre Nagy to deliver a speech. By 6 pm, more than 200 000 people Budapest Technical University (who had gathered and the mood was spirited but peaceful. However, at 8 pm Erno Gero broadcasted become a speech dismissing strong political voice) heard that the demands of the Writer’s Hungarian Writers Union and the students and labelling planned to express solidarity with Poland's pro-reform movements, they decided to join them Hungarian enemies of the state.<ref>The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Russians go home! - http://www.historyinanhour.com/2013/02/21/hungarian-revolution-of-1956-summary/ </ref>

This uncompromising stance infuriated ==Hungarian protests vs. Soviet violence – the Hungarian people and they carried out one first wave of their demands Russian tanks enter Budapest==The tension reached its peak in October 1956. On the sixteen point resolutionevening of October 22, 1956, tearing down students of the statue University of Stalin erected Technology in 1951Budapest had decided to demonstrate the next day. By that timeThey organized their demands in 16 point resolution, other demonstrations started at several other parts which included: withdrawal of the city. A large crowd gathered at the headquarters Soviet troops from Hungary; granting free elections, liberty of speech and press; abolishment of surrendering of goods and the right to sell Hungarian Radio as it became uranium deposits on the focal point free market; removal of the eventsStalin statues; Imre Nagy to be appointed prime minister. MoreoverIn the late afternoon of October 23, 1956, the AVH (over 50 000 people gathered at Hungarian Secret Police) heavily guarded its entrance and tried General Bem's statue to prevent demonstrate on the oncoming delegation from attempting to broadcast streets and read out their demands nationwideproclamation of independence together with the Hungarian Writers Union. The AVH then threw tear gas and opened fire on In the following hours, the unarmed crowd and this cold-blooded killing provoked a full scale riot against marched across the communists and Danube to demonstrate outside the AVHHungarian parliament, where people demanded Imre Nagy to deliver a speech. Police cars were set on fireBy 6 pm, more than 200 000 people had gathered, weapons were seized and Communist symbols torn down and vandalizedthe mood was spirited but peaceful. In the following panicHowever, at 8 pm, Erno Gero called on military intervention from broadcasted a speech dismissing the Soviet Writer’s Union to suppress and the uprising as students' demands and labeling them into the freedom fighters seized control of the Radio building and other important parts of Budapeststate's Hungarian enemies. On the eve <ref>The Hungarian Revolution of October 231956: Russians go home!-24, Imre Nagy returned as an appointed prime minister once more in assurance to continue with his reformist programwww.historyinanhour.com</ref>

Around 2 am on October 24This uncompromising stance infuriated the Hungarian people, the first Soviet tanks entered Budapest and positioned strategically outside they carried out one of their demands in the parliament building as to bring sixteen point resolution, tearing down the revolutionStalin's statue in 1951. Meanwhile more Soviet troops penetrated key positions in By that time, other demonstrations started at several other parts of the city. On A large crowd gathered at the Hungarian Radio headquarters as it became the radio, Nagy called for end to violence and promised to initiate political reforms abolished three years earlier. Despite all efforts for a peaceful resolution focal point of the riots, when Erno Gero ordered a Soviet tank to fire upon unarmed peacefully demonstrating protesters in Parliament Square on October 25events. Moreover, the fighting escalated. <ref>AVH (Hungarian Revolution of 1956: First shots - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_Revolution_of_1956</ref>The demonstrators Secret Police) heavily guarded its entrance and tried to seek refuge in prevent the ministry of agriculture building but they weren’t allowed in and around 800 died that day in what is now referred oncoming delegation from attempting to as the “Bloody Thursday”broadcast their demands nationwide. After The AVH then threw tear gas and opened fire on the Soviet public massacreunarmed crowd, the revolution was unstoppable. The Soviet troops and their AVH cohorts continued to fight this cold-blooded killing provoked a full-scale riot against the revolutionaries until 28th October, when Moscow ordered communists and the Soviets to retreat from the cityAVH. Police cars were set on fire, weapons were seized, and Communist regime was widely denounced by Hungarians with Hungarian Workers’ Party discredited symbols were torn down and vandalized. In the following panic, Erno Gero was forced called on military intervention from the Soviet Union to resign suppress the uprising as First Secretarythe freedom fighters seized control of the Radio building and other important parts of Budapest. On the eve of October 23-24, Imre Nagy returned as an appointed prime minister once more in assurance to continue with Janos Kadar replacing himhis reformist program.

In order to prevent any further escalation Around 2 am on October 24, the first Soviet tanks entered Budapest and in attempt positioned strategically outside the parliament building to calm bring down the infuriated massesrevolution. Meanwhile, Nikita Khrushchev initially decided to order Soviets retreat from Budapestmore Soviet troops penetrated key positions in the city. Оn October 28On the radio, Nagy announced called for an immediate end to violence and general cease-fire over promised to initiate political reforms abolished three years earlier. Despite all efforts for a peaceful resolution of the radio andriots, on behalf of the new national government declared that when Erno Gero ordered a multi-party system was Soviet tank to replace fire upon unarmed peacefully demonstrating protesters in Parliament Square on October 25, the communist singlefighting escalated. <ref>Hungarian Revolution of 1956: First shots -party dictatorship as well ashttps: that //en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_Revolution_of_1956</ref>The demonstrators tried to seek refuge in the government would assess the uprising not as counter-revolutionaryministry of agriculture building, but as a “greatthey weren’t allowed in, national and democratic event”; an unconditional general cease-fire and amnesty for those who participated around 800 died that day in what is now referred to as the uprising; negotiations with “Bloody Thursday.” After the insurgents; the dissolution of Soviet public massacre, the revolution was unstoppable. The Soviet troops and their AVH; cohorts continued to fight against the establishment of a national guard; revolutionaries until 28th October, when Moscow ordered the immediate withdrawal of Soviet troops Soviets to retreat from Budapest the city. The Communist regime was widely denounced by Hungarians, with Hungarian Workers’ Party discredited, and negotiations for the withdrawal of all Soviet forces from HungaryErno Gero was forced to resign as First Secretary, with Janos Kadar replacing him.

====Hungary’s Fate decided in Moscow. Soviet following decisive interventions of 4 November: The Soviet Empire strikes back ending the Revolution====The Soviet Union’s new leader Khrushchev had different approach from Joseph Stalin, and he debated the matter of Hungary’s independence in Moscow even considering negotiating the constant withdrawal of troops from the country. Despite the initial decision of the Politburo and Presidium not to remove the new Nagy Hungarian government and to withdraw the Soviet forces from Hungary, only a day later - on 31 October, the Soviet leaders decided to reverse their decision and to strike back. Soviets believed that the rebellion directly threatened the very Communist rule in Hungary and that the West would quickly recognize a sign of weakness in Moscow’s lack of response, especially after the British, French and Israeli strike against Suez that had begun on October 29. Soviets also feared the spread of anti-Communist feelings in Hungary, which also started threatening the rule of neighboring satellite leaders. Finally yet importantly – the members of the Soviet party would fail to understand any lack of response by force in Hungary. <ref><i>The 1956 Hungarian Revolution: A History in Documents</i> dh- http://nsarchive.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB76/<ad/ref>

UndoubtedlyTo prevent any further escalation and to calm the infuriated masses, most of Nikita Khrushchev initially decided to order the following developments within the very Hungarian leadership also played a key part in Moscow’s decisionSoviets to retreat from Budapest. Оn October 28, Nagyannounced an immediate and general cease-fire over the radio and, who Moscow reinstated once more into on behalf of the country’s leadership role after it became clear new national government declared that a multi-party system was to replace the crowd completely discredited all old Stalinist leaders, had proved ineffective in following strict Moscow’s orders. His appeal to communist single-party dictatorship as well as: that the United Nations for help in establishing government would assess the country’s neutralityuprising not as counter-revolutionary, but as a “great, endangered Soviet Union national and democratic event”; an unconditional general cease-fire and represented a breach amnesty for those who participated in the Soviet defensive buffer zone uprising; negotiations with the insurgents; the dissolution of satellite nations. Soviet fear of invasion from the West as well as AVH; the establishment of development of yet another capitalist state were decisive. On November 1, 1956, Nagy formally addressed Hungarian people over a national guard; the National Radio and declared Hungary’s immediate withdrawal of Soviet troops from the Warsaw Pact as well as Hungary’s stance of neutrality. He also released many political prisoners Budapest and allowed previously banned political parties to reappear and join the coalition. The mood was defiantly optimistic. For a short period, it seemed that Nagy was going to be able to achieve the Hungarian people’s wishes negotiations for a neutral, multi-party social-democratic nation. However, he conducted dramatic steps that did not please and infuriated the withdrawal of all Soviet leaders in Moscowforces from Hungary.

== Why did the Soviet Union decide to Crush the Hungarian Revolution of 1956? ==The second Soviet intervention left no one guessing about the oncoming outcomeUnion’s new leader Khrushchev had a different approach from Joseph Stalin. In He debated the early hours on November 4matter of Hungary’s independence in Moscow, even considering negotiating its constant withdrawal of troops. Despite the strongest continental army lead by Politburo and Presidium's initial decision not to remove the Russians attacked Budapest new Nagy Hungarian government and to withdraw the Soviet forces from Hungary with over 1 000 tanks, destroying only a day later - on 31 October, the fierce but uncoordinated resistance of Soviet leaders decided to reverse their decision and to strike back. Soviets believed that the rebellion directly threatened the poorly armed Hungarian freedom fightersvery Communist rule in Hungary. Soviets The West would quickly seized control and occupied all key positions recognize a sign of weakness in Moscow’s lack of response, especially after the cityBritish, French, and Israeli strike against Suez that had begun on October 29. Nagy made his final broadcast to Soviets also feared the world at 05:15 spread of anti-Communist feelings in the morningHungary, appealing for international helpwhich also started threatening neighboring satellite leaders' rule. HoweverFinally, Western powers were much more concentrated at the Suez Crisis at the timeSoviet party members would fail to understand any lack of response by force in Hungary. Janos Kadar, fully backed by Moscow, proclaimed himself head of a new “Hungarian Revolutionary Worker<ref><i>The 1956 Hungarian Revolution: A History in Documents</i> -Peasant Government”http://nsarchive. He declared that Imperialistic western powers were financing this counter-revolution and he called on Soviet help to put it down and restore order since Nagy’s government was “illegal”gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB76/</ref>

The Soviets backed up the so-called “restoration of order” by heavy artillery and airstrikes as Budapest became bloodshed field with over 2000 dead casualtiesUndoubtedly, most of them under 30 years oldthe following developments within the very Hungarian leadership also played a key part in Moscow’s decision. Another 13 000 were injured with many Nagy, who Moscow reinstated once more imprisoned and executedinto the country’s leadership role after it became clear that the crowd completely discredited all old Stalinist leaders, as had proved ineffective following strict Moscow’s orders. His appeal to the United Nations to establish the country’s neutrality endangered the Soviet troops often failed to distinguish between civilian citizens Union and freedom fighters, firing indiscriminately at people and buildingsrepresented a breach in the Soviet defensive buffer zone of satellite nations. More than 700 Soviet soldiers also gave up their lives, most fear of invasion from the West and the development of them executed for refusing to fightyet another capitalist state were decisive. Janos Kadar proclaimed end of revolution officially on On November 111, 1956. Soviets, led by Kadar, later lured, trapped Nagy formally addressed the Hungarian people over the National Radio and arrested Nagy declared Hungary’s withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact and his followersHungary’s neutrality stance. Janos Kadar then charged them with treason He also released many political prisoners and executed all on June 16allowed previously banned political parties to reappear and join the coalition. The mood was defiantly optimistic. For a short period, it seemed that Nagy would be able to achieve the Hungarian people’s wishes for a neutral, multi-party social-democratic nation. However, 1958he conducted dramatic steps that did not please and infuriated the Soviet leaders in Moscow.

====Aftermath of The second Soviet intervention left no one guessing about the oncoming outcome. In the early hours on November 4, the 1956 Revolution Russians' strongest continental army attacked Budapest and International recognition====Recriminations followed Hungary with tens over 1 000 tanks, destroying the fierce but uncoordinated resistance of thousands of Hungarians arrested, imprisoned the poorly armed Hungarian freedom fighters. Soviets quickly seized control and deported occupied all key positions in the city. Nagy made his final broadcast to the Soviet Unionworld at 05:15 in the morning, often without evidence or any proper trialsappealing for international help. Until mid-1957However, many enemies of the communist regime Western powers were executed without trace and much more than 200 000 people fled Hungary - either fearing for their lives, or simply to escape from concentrated on the Suez Crisis at the Communist regimetime. MoreoverJanos Kadar, fully backed by Moscow, many proclaimed himself head of them a new “Hungarian Revolutionary Worker-Peasant Government.” He declared that Imperialistic western powers were Hungary’s best educated people searching for a better life in the Western worldfinancing this counter-revolution, and he called on Soviet help to put it down and restore order since Nagy’s government was “illegal.”

With The Soviets backed up the so-called “restoration of order” by heavy artillery and airstrikes. Budapest became a bloodshed field with over 2000 dead casualties, most of Budapest them under 30 years old. Another 13 000 were injured, with many more imprisoned and executed, as the Soviet control by November 8troops often failed to distinguish between civilian citizens and freedom fighters, Kadar became officially Prime Minister of the “Revolutionary Worker-Peasant Government” firing indiscriminately at people and General Secretary buildings. More than 700 Soviet soldiers also gave up their lives, most of the Hungarian Communist Partythem executed for refusing to fight. Few Hungarians rejoined the reorganized Party, its leadership having been purged under Janos Kadar proclaimed the supervision end of the Soviet Presidiumrevolution officially on November 11, 1956. Step Soviets, led by step Kadar steadily increased , later lured, trapped, and arrested Nagy and his control over Hungary and neutralized dissentersfollowers. In May 1957, the Soviet Union increased its troop levels in Hungary Janos Kadar then charged them with treason and Hungary accepted the Soviet presence executed all on a permanent basis under a new enforced treatyJune 16, 1958.

However== What was the Aftermath of the 1956 Revolution? ==Recriminations followed with tens of thousands of Hungarians arrested, despite seeming to sell out imprisoned, and deported to the SovietsSoviet Union, Kadar proved to be a better leader for Hungary than many expectedoften without evidence or proper trials. After the excessive reconstruction of the postUntil mid-revolution period1957, he successively eased much many enemies of the oppression felt by the people, famously declaring, “who is not against us is with us”. He also engineered communist regime were executed without a unique brand of Communism which incorporated elements of free market economics which was later dubbed “Goulash Communism”. Indeedtrace, and more than 200 000 people fled Hungary was considered - either fearing for their lives or to be one of escape from the happiest Soviet satellites until the fall Communist regime. Moreover, many of them were Hungary’s best-educated people searching for a better life in the Iron Curtain in 1989Western world.

With most of Budapest under Soviet control by November 8, Kadar became officially Prime Minister of the “Revolutionary Worker-Peasant Government” and General Secretary of the Hungarian Communist Party. Few Hungarians rejoined the reorganized Party, its leadership having been purged under the supervision of the Soviet Presidium. Step by step, Kadar steadily increased his control over Hungary and neutralized dissenters. In May 1957, the Soviet Union increased its troop levels in Hungary and Hungary accepted the Soviet presence permanently under a new enforced treaty. However, despite seeming to sell out to the Soviets, Kadar proved to be a better Hungary leader than many expected. After the post-revolution period's excessive reconstruction, he successfully eased much of the people's oppression, famously declaring, “who is not against us is with us.” He also engineered a unique Communism brand that incorporated elements of free-market economics, later dubbed “Goulash Communism.” Indeed, Hungary was considered one of the happiest Soviet satellites until the Iron Curtain's fall in 1989. National leaders of this period as well as and later historians saw the failure of the uprising in Hungary as a firm evidence that the Cold War in Europe had become a stalemate. Moreover, in January 1957, United Nations General Assembly resolutions requested investigation and observation of the events in Soviet-occupied Hungaryevents. UN Secretary -General subsequently established the Special Committee addressing the problem of Hungary. For over five months , the Committee interviewed more than 100 refugees, both Communist and non-Communist. However, the new Hungarian government utterly refused the UN officials ' entry and independent investigation, and the government of the Soviet Union did not respond to requests for information. The Committee Report was presented to the General Assembly in June 1957, concluding “the Kadar government and Soviet occupation and intervention were in violation of violated the Hungarian people's human rights of the Hungarian people”. ” The General Assembly resolution was approved, confirming “the repression of the Hungarian people and the Soviet occupation” with no other action effectively taken.

Nevertheless, the Hungarian Revolution clearly indicated the weaknesses of the enforced Soviet system 's weaknesses and the Hungarian people 's free will for reforms and a better life. It did further paved the way for the oncoming Eastern European revolts and challenges spreading across the remaining Soviet satellite countries against the common Oppressor – mostly Yugoslavia, Poland, Czechoslovakia with its emblematic Prague Spring of 1968 requiring over 650 000 Soviet troops to enforce further enforce an end of the country’s call for more liberal reforms.