Hungarian Revolution of 1956

Quick Facts: Who was Hungarian Revolution of 1956?

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Hungarian Revolution of 1956

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A 15-day national uprising against Soviet domination in the Hungarian People's Republic.

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Origins & Early Life

The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 (23 October – 4 November 1956; Hungarian: 1956-os forradalom), also known as the Hungarian Uprising, was an attempted countrywide revolution against the government of the Hungarian People's Republic (1949–1989) and the policies caused by the government's subordination to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The uprising lasted 15 days before being crushed by Soviet tanks and troops on 7 November 1956 (outside of Budapest, firefights lasted until at least 12 November 1956). Thousands were killed or wounded, and nearly a quarter of a million Hungarians fled the country. The Hungarian Revolution began on 23 October 1956 in Budapest when university students appealed to the civil populace to join them at the Hungarian Parliament Building to protest the USSR's geopolitical domination of Hungary through the communist government of Mátyás Rákosi. A delegation of students entered the building of Magyar Rádió to broadcast their sixteen demands for political and economic reforms to civil society, but were detained by security guards.

Career & Major Achievements

When the student protesters outside the radio building demanded the release of their delegation, a group of police from the ÁVH (State Protection Authority) fatally shot several of the students. The siege of the Radio building began shortly after midnight and ended around 8 a.m. At that point, the revolutionaries broke into the building and treated the soldiers, officer cadets, and members of the ÁVH (State Protection Authority) found there as prisoners. ÁVH officer Major Fehér was executed with a shot to the back of the head. Consequently, Hungarians organized into revolutionary militias to fight the ÁVH; local Hungarian communist leaders and ÁVH policemen were captured and summarily executed, and political prisoners were released and armed.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

To realize their political, economic, and social demands, local soviets (councils of workers) assumed control of municipal government from the Hungarian Working People's Party (Magyar Dolgozók Pártja). The new government of Imre Nagy disbanded the ÁVH (on 28 October), declared Hungary's withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact (on 1 November), and pledged to reestablish free elections. By the end of October, the intense fighting had subsided. Although initially showing willingness to negotiate the withdrawal of the Soviet Army from Hungary (having negotiations on 3 November), the USSR repressed the Hungarian Revolution on 4 November, and fought the Hungarian revolutionaries until Soviet victory on 10 November; repression of the Hungarian Uprising killed 2,500 Hungarians and 700 Soviet Army soldiers, and compelled 200,000 Hungarians to seek political refuge abroad, mostly in Austria. During World War II, the Kingdom of Hungary was a member of the Axis powers in alliance with Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, the Kingdom of Romania, and the Kingdom of Bulgaria.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1956: 1956 Milestone — The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 (23 October – 4 November 1956; Hungarian: 1956-os forradalom), also known as the Hungarian Uprising, was an attempted countrywide revolution against the government of the Hungarian People's Republic (1949–1989) and the policies caused by the government's subordination to the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Hungarian Revolution of 1956

True or False: “The revolution was entirely bloodless, as negotiations quickly resolved all political disputes.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The uprising involved significant violence, including fatal shootings by the ÁVH and subsequent fighting until Soviet forces crushed it.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. A. Milne — Historical peer (Died in 1956) (1956): Celebrated English author, famed for Winnie-the-Pooh and children's literature.
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• Ahmed Zaki (actor) — Historical peer (Born in 1949) (1949): Iconic Egyptian actor celebrated for intense dramatic performances and masterful impersonation.
• Alan García — Historical peer (Born in 1949) (1949): Controversial Peruvian politician who served two non-consecutive terms as President of Peru.
• A. J. Ayer — Historical peer (Died in 1989) (1989): Influential English philosopher known for logical positivism and emotivism.
• Abbie Hoffman — Historical peer (Died in 1989) (1989): Iconic American activist, co-founder of the Yippies, and counterculture figure.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hungarian Revolution of 1956