Changes

Nowadays it is a National Holiday when commemorations take place in Budapest and entire Hungary to remind Hungarian people their brave historic revolt against the communists’ 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 Hungarian emblematic act of nationwide heroism.

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 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 defeat of Germany. Instead, the absolute Soviet ruler was planning to turn the region in 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.

In order to prevent any further escalation and in attempt to calm the infuriated masses, Nikita Khrushchev initially decided to order Soviets retreat from Budapest. Оn October 28, Nagy announced an immediate and general cease-fire over the radio and, on behalf of the new national government declared that a multi-party system was to replace the communist single-party dictatorship as well as: that the government would assess the uprising not as counter-revolutionary, but as a “great, national and democratic event”; an unconditional general cease-fire and amnesty for those who participated in the uprising; negotiations with the insurgents; the dissolution of the AVH; the establishment of a national guard; the immediate withdrawal of Soviet troops from Budapest and negotiations for the withdrawal of all Soviet forces from Hungary.

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> - http://nsarchive.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 casualties, most of them under 30 years old. Another 13 000 were injured with many more imprisoned and executed, as the Soviet troops often failed to distinguish between civilian citizens and freedom fighters, firing indiscriminately at people and buildings. More than 700 Soviet soldiers also gave up their lives, most of them executed for refusing to fight. Janos Kadar proclaimed end of revolution officially on November 11, 1956. Soviets, led by Kadar, later lured, trapped and arrested Nagy and his followers. Janos Kadar then charged them with treason and executed all on June 16, 1958.

Recriminations followed with tens of thousands of Hungarians arrested, imprisoned and deported to the Soviet Union, often without evidence or any proper trials. Until mid-1957, many enemies of the communist regime were executed without trace and more than 200 000 people fled Hungary - either fearing for their lives, or simply to escape from the Communist regime. Moreover, many of them were Hungary’s best educated people searching for a better life in the Western world.

Nevertheless, the Hungarian Revolution clearly indicated the weaknesses of the enforced Soviet system and Hungarian people free will for reforms and 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 further enforce an end of the country’s call for more liberal reforms.

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