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The Hungarian Uprising, 1956-1958 (AQA GCSE History) : Revision Note

Zoe Wade

Written by: Zoe Wade

Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett

Updated on

What caused the Hungarian Uprising? - Timeline & Summary

A timeline chart showing key events during the Hungarian Uprising of 1956. The timeline spans from October to December. Key events include: on 24th October, Khrushchev allows Imre Nagy to become President of Hungary after riots in Budapest; on 28th October, Soviet troops leave Budapest and Nagy’s government promises freedoms of speech and voting; on 3rd November, Nagy announces Hungary will leave the Warsaw Pact; and on 4th November, Khrushchev orders Soviet troops to return to Hungary, resulting in street fighting and the Soviet Union regaining control.

Life in the Eastern Bloc in the 1950s was difficult. In communist Hungary, Five Year Plans set unrealistic targets, and workers faced low pay, poor conditions, and frequent shortages. This led to widespread discontent.

Hungary's leader, Mátyás Rákosi, ruled with brutality, ignoring the country’s needs. Hungary suffered from fuel shortages and poor harvests with no help from Rákosi's government. His regime arrested opponents, including Cardinal Mindszenty, a symbol of resistance to communist control.

In 1956, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev began a process of de-Stalinisation, criticising Stalin’s rule and promising reform. This gave many Hungarians hope that they, too, might gain more freedom.

Who was Imre Nagy?

Political unrest in Hungary

  • In October 1956, there were violent protests in Hungary's capital, Budapest

    • Hungarian students led a peaceful demonstration asking for more political and personal freedom 

      • Hungary's secret police arrested protestors and used tear gas to end the march

      • When the students attempted to free the arrested, the police shot at the protestors

    • Soldiers joined the student protestors

      • The Hungarian Communist government requested military support from the Soviet Union

    • By 24th October, the Soviet Union restored order in Budapest

Why did Khrushchev appoint Imre Nagy?

  • Khrushchev decided to change the leadership of Hungary

    • He replaced Rákosi with Imre Nagy

  • Imre Nagy had previously been prime minister of Hungary

    • In 1949, the Communist Party removed Nagy from the government

    • He served as prime minister between 1953 and 1955

      • Other communist members removed Nagy from office

      • They did not agree with his reforming attitudes

  • Khrushchev believed that Nagy would resolve the unrest in Hungary

    • The people liked Nagy

    • Limited reforms would stop Hungarians from protesting

Nagy's reforms

  • Within days of becoming prime minister, Nagy introduced a series of reforms

What reforms did Nagy propose for Hungary?

A diagram outlining Imre Nagy's reforms during the 1956 Hungarian Uprising. At the center is a pink box labeled "Imre Nagy's Reforms," with four surrounding orange boxes representing individual reforms. "Reorganising the Government" – above this is a grey box stating "He believed the government should include non-communist politicians," and above that another grey box adds "This would end the communist one party state in Hungary." "Releasing Political Prisoners" – below this, a grey box explains "The communist government arrested many people for ‘crimes against the state.’ Many were innocent." "Withdrawing Soviet Troops from Hungary" – next to this is a grey box that reads "Nagy persuaded Khrushchev to remove Soviet troops from Budapest. This was popular among the people." "Leaving the Warsaw Pact" – below this is a grey box stating "On 1st November 1956, Nagy announced that Hungary would withdraw from the Warsaw Pact."
A concept map showing the areas of reform that Nagy attempted to introduce in October-November 1956

Khrushchev and Nagy's reforms

  • Khrushchev could not accept Nagy's attempt to withdraw Hungary from the Warsaw Pact

    • The Soviet Union needed Hungary to remain in the Warsaw Pact

      • Khrushchev may have needed Hungarian troops to suppress uprisings in other satellite states

      • Hungary's withdrawal may have prompted other satellite states to do the same

      • The Soviet Union relied upon the collective security of pro-communist states as stated in the Warsaw Pact

  • Khrushchev did not want any more independent communist states in Eastern Europe

    • Yugoslavia, under the leadership of Tito, broke away from the Soviet Union's influence in 1948

    • Yugoslavia became closer to the West by accepting military support from NATO

      • Tito explored different versions of communism that undermined the Soviet Union

    • Khrushchev did not want other satellite states to form alliances with Yugoslavia

Khrushchev's reaction to the Hungarian Uprising

  • Khrushchev's reaction to Nagy's reforms was extremely violent

How did Khrushchev stop the Hungarian Uprising?

A vertical flowchart detailing the events following the Soviet invasion of Hungary on 4th November 1956: At the top, a turquoise box reads: "Khrushchev sent an invasion force of 1,000 tanks to Hungary on 4th November 1956." The next box states: "Nagy and his supporters fought the invasion force. This is called the Hungarian Uprising. Nagy contacted the West, begging them to send military assistance to Hungary." Below that, another box explains: "The Soviet invasion force brutally attacked the Hungarians. Historians estimate that the invasion force killed 20,000 Hungarians. This ended the uprising." The next step reads: "Khrushchev established a stronger communist government in Hungary under the leadership of Janos Kadar." Following that: "Nagy and members of his government sought refuge in the Yugoslav Embassy. Kadar promised Nagy’s safety. When Nagy left the embassy, Soviet spies kidnapped him." At the bottom, the final box states: "In July 1958, the Soviet government announced that Nagy had been executed."
A flow diagram explaining Khrushchev's reaction and punishment of the Hungarian Uprising

International reaction to the Soviet invasion of Hungary

  • When the Soviet invasion force entered Hungary, Nagy believed that the West would support his government

    • Radio Free Europe was a US-funded radio channel that transmitted across Eastern Europe

      • The station encouraged Eastern Europeans to rise up against the Soviet Union

    • The Marshall Plan meant that the USA would give money to the satellite states

  • Khrushchev's suppression of the Hungarian Uprising shocked many Western nations

    • Khrushchev's actions did not match his previous policies of de-Stalinisation

Should the USA intervene in the Hungarian Uprising?

Reasons for US intervention

  • Khrushchev's repression went against the UN's stance on human rights

  • Nagy's government wanted to increase Hungary's individual freedoms

    • This matches the democratic values of the USA

  • If the USA could free Hungary from the Eastern Bloc, it could use Hungary's geographical position to intimidate the Soviet Union

    • It could make an alliance with Hungary or station ICBMs on its border with the Soviet Union

Reasons against US intervention

  • The USA had a foreign policy of Containment

    • This meant that the USA did not intervene in countries that were already communist

  • Any military intervention in the Eastern Bloc could cause a nuclear war between the USA and the Soviet Union

  • The US government and population still distrusted communist countries

The USA's decision about the Hungarian Uprising

  • Ultimately, Eisenhower decided not to give military support to Nagy

    • He did not believe the cause was worth risking a nuclear war for

  • Hungary did receive some support from the West

    • European members of NATO accepted Hungarian refugees

Examiner Tips and Tricks

An exam question could ask you how far you agree that the Hungarian Uprising was the most important reason why Cold War tensions in the 1950s.

To achieve Levels 3 and 4 (9-16 marks) you must discuss the stated reason in the question. For this example, you would have to discuss the Hungarian Uprising.

For further guidance on this question, you can read this revision note on how to answer the 16-mark “How far do you agree” question.

The Impact of the Hungarian Uprising on Cold War tensions

  • Relations between the Soviet Union and the USA worsened

    • Khrushchev's suppression of Hungary had shocked and appalled the West

  • Khrushchev increased his power over the Soviet Union

    • He stated that the execution of Nagy taught:

'A lesson to the leaders of all socialist countries'

  • Khrushchev's actions tightened the Warsaw Pact

  • The Hungarian Uprising ruined the USA's reputation as a protector of freedom 

    • The USA had an opportunity to help a country free themselves from communism. They did not take the opportunity

    • The event proved that the USA did not back its words with actions

      • Satellite states were less likely to rebel against the Soviet Union

      • It increased the Soviet Union's confidence that the USA would not risk military action against them

Causes and consequences of the Hungarian Uprising

A diagram illustrating the causes and consequences of the Hungarian Uprising of 1956. At the centre is a red box labeled "The Hungarian Uprising, 1956". On the left side, under a green heading labeled "Causes", three green boxes are connected to the central red box with green arrows. The boxes read: "Fuel shortages and poor harvests", "Discontent and protest about the lack of freedom in Hungary", and "Imre Nagy’s reforms". On the right side, under a blue heading labeled "Consequences", three blue boxes are connected to the central red box with pink arrows. These boxes read: "Khrushchev’s tighter control over the Eastern Bloc through the Warsaw Pact", "The USA’s reputation as a protector of freedom is ruined", and "Worsening relations between the USA and the Soviet Union into the 1960s".
A flow diagram showing the causes and consequences of the Hungarian Uprising on the USA and the Soviet Union

Worked Example

Write an account of how the Hungarian Uprising increased Cold War tension

[8 marks]

Answer

One way the Hungarian Uprising increased Cold War tension was through the violence shown by the USSR. In 1956, when Hungarians protested for reform, the new leader, Imre Nagy, promised changes such as leaving the Warsaw Pact. This alarmed the USSR, as it could lead to other countries trying to break away. In response, Khrushchev sent 200,000 Soviet troops and tanks into Hungary to crush the uprising. Thousands were killed and Nagy was later executed. This increased Cold War tension because it showed the USSR was prepared to use brutal force to maintain control in Eastern Europe, making the West view the Soviets as more aggressive and dangerous.

Another way the Hungarian Uprising increased Cold War tension was due to the lack of response by the USA. Although the USA spoke out against the Soviet invasion, it chose not to intervene or offer direct support. This sent a message to other satellite states that the USA would not help them if they tried to break away from Soviet control. This increased Cold War tension by widening the divide between East and West, as it showed that the USA would allow Soviet control over Eastern Europe. It also caused damage to the USA's reputation, as many in the West questioned how committed America really was to standing up to Communism.

Examiner Tips and Tricks

When students see the word 'narrative', they often answer this question like a story. Do not do this. The question is asking you to explain the causes and consequences of the specified event.

For further guidance on this question, you can read this revision note on how to answer the 8-mark “Write an account" question.

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    Author
    Reviewer
    Zoe Wade

    Author: Zoe Wade

    Expertise: History Content Creator

    Zoe has worked in education for 10 years as a teaching assistant and a teacher. This has given her an in-depth perspective on how to support all learners to achieve to the best of their ability. She has been the Lead of Key Stage 4 History, showing her expertise in the Edexcel GCSE syllabus and how best to revise. Ever since she was a child, Zoe has been passionate about history. She believes now, more than ever, the study of history is vital to explaining the ever-changing world around us. Zoe’s focus is to create accessible content that breaks down key historical concepts and themes to achieve GCSE success.

    Bridgette Barrett

    Reviewer: Bridgette Barrett

    Expertise: Geography Lead

    After graduating with a degree in Geography, Bridgette completed a PGCE over 25 years ago. She later gained an MA Learning, Technology and Education from the University of Nottingham focussing on online learning. At a time when the study of geography has never been more important, Bridgette is passionate about creating content which supports students in achieving their potential in geography and builds their confidence.