Hungary 23 October 1956

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23 October 1956, was the day on which the Hungarian people's resentment of Soviet domination exploded into insurgency which quickly grew into a nationwide uprising. The uprising was suppressed by the Soviet Army, which had been occupying Hungary since the end of World War II. The rebellion lasted for several weeks. It had broad support from most social classes in urban as well as rural areas of the country. During the conflict 2,500 Hungarians and 700 Soviet soldiers lost their lives. After the rebellion was put down, thousands of Hungarians were imprisoned in Hungary or taken into captivity by the Russians. Many of them were later charged with complicity in the uprising, tried, and sentenced to death or to varying lengths of imprisonment. During the days of conflict and in the following weeks, 200,000 Hungarians took advantage of porous border conditions and fled to neighbouring Austria. Eventually, most of these refugees moved to other countries that offered them refuge and a chance to start a new life in exile. In the post-Communist Hungarian calendar, October 23 is now a National Day, commemorating what happened on that day in 1956, and in the days that followed.

[edit] Signposts to a Revolution

[edit] 1953

March

Death of Stalin. A major reorganization of the Soviet Union's leadership follows.
The new Soviet leadership declares an amnesty, promises to give priority to improving living standards, and underlines the importance of "collective leadership".

June

Hungary’s party and state leaders are summoned to Moscow. Mátyás Rákosi’s monopoly of power is ended by the new Soviet leadership. He is instructed to hand over as prime minister to Imre Nagy, but is allowed to remain as First Secretary of the Hungarian Workers Party (the Hungarian Communist Party). Imre Magy is instructed by the Soviets to embark on a new economic policy for Hungary, with less emphasis on the promotion of heavy industry and of land collectivization.
The Central Committee of the Hungarian Workers’ Party (HWP) convenes to implement Moscow’s instructions on the "New Course" of political and economic reform.

July

Prime Minister Imre Nagy, in his programme speech to the new Parliament, outlines the New Course: a new economic policy and a new political line based on legality in government and administrative practice and enhanced sovereignty of the people.
Beria, the head of the Soviet KGB, is arrested in Moscow, dismissed from all his positions and excluded from the party.
Following on the developments in Moscow, the Hungarian Interior Ministry orders the establishment of a unified Ministry of the Interior. The ÁVH (a uniformed Hungarian political police force of the goveernment) is reintegrated into the Interior Ministry structure.
A partial amnesty is declared in Hungary.
The Hungarian Council of Ministers (government) passes a resolution ending the practices of internment and internal exile.

September