Today is the 50th anniversary of the Hungarian uprising against Soviet occupation. A march on parliament in Budapest was bloodily dispersed by Soviet forces, but the democratic leader Imre Nagy was allowed to resume in office. For a few days only. On November 4th, 1956, communist rule came back with a vengeance. Thousands fled the country and settled in western Europe.
The Hungarian uprising coincided with the start of the Suez crisis, and the suppression of a similar revolt in Poland, under Gomulka. Following the death of Stalin, in 1953, an air of liberalisation appeared to waft through the Warsaw Pact. But when Imre Nagy announced the withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact, the Soviets moved to crush his reign. He was hanged.
The BBC has published an excellent timeline of this event in history. Also watch this report from 1956.
NOTE: Nagy is pronounced Nadsh
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ReplyDeleteSo glad I live in America.....its been along time since this land has had a civil war or uprising of any kind...we are a lucky nation- Raven
ReplyDeleteInteresting.
ReplyDeleteLori