1956 Hungarian Revolution

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In the 1950s, the socialist model prevailed in Eastern Europe thanks to the strong intervention fostered by Soviet and local representatives of Stalinism. In theory, this situation defined the installation of governments interested in protecting the interests of the working classes in each of these zones of influence. However, the regime of popular aspiration itself had been questioned in the streets of Budapest in 1956, during the famous Hungarian Revolution.
The beginning of this uprising took place on June 28, 1956, when the Poles mobilized to demand free elections, better living conditions and the withdrawal of the Soviet army. The Soviets, in turn, demonstrating the totalitarian facet of their regime, opened fire on the rebels leaving a total of fifty dead and wounded. Upon observing such developments, Hungarians, similarly dissatisfied, would come to protest against socialist rule in the country.
Exhausted with the governments of Enrö Gero and Matias Rakosi and suffering from ever-increasing economic indices alarmingly, the Hungarians challenged this political model centered on the castrating influence of the Soviets. In such a way, going against the centralizing assumptions of Lenin and Trotsky, the population organized spontaneously their revolutionary experience as they took to the streets of Budapest in protest on the night of 23rd October 1956.

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Already at that moment, the exchange of fire between the official authorities and the dissatisfied population promoted the installation of a very delicate climate. In Heroes' Square, the overthrow of Stalin's statue demonstrated that the population was willing to fight for a more direct and representative political configuration. The next day, T-34 tanks and a force of 6,000 Russian soldiers besieged the Hungarian capital. At the same time, young Hungarians showed their resistance by using homemade bombs.
Even with the immediate change of government, conflicts intensified and the workers' councils reinforced their interest in adopting a regime based on the strength of self-management. Over the days, more than 500 Soviet soldiers were executed and several T-34 tanks destroyed by popular resistance. Soon after, Colonel Pal Maleter, Minister of Defense, reinforced popular action by opposing the official interests that he previously represented.
Noting the scale that the revolt was taking, the Soviet government decided to organize a truce with the withdrawal of Red Army troops from Hungary. Soon after, a violent action brought about the disarticulation of the popular movement and the imposition of Janos Kadar, traitor to the revolutionary movement, in power. On November 4, 1956, a new Soviet force – made up of more tanks, soldiers and planes – wreaked havoc on the streets of Budapest.
The annihilation of the people resulted in the promotion of a conflict that lasted for three weeks against a wave of precariously armed insurgents. According to some estimates of the episode, the Soviets would have claimed 25,000 lives and carried out the deportation of 15,000 opponents. Even with the defeat, the event clearly exposed the fissures and excesses that surrounded the centralizing feature of Soviet socialism.
By Rainer Sousa
Graduated in History
Brazil School Team

20th century - wars - Brazil School

Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/guerras/revolucao-hungara-1956.htm

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