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Russia Invades
Russian troops invade Hungary to rid them of Nazis. -
Stalin Dies
Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin dies after 30 years of ruling. Accompanying this news, Matyas Rasoki is replaced by Imre Nagy as Communist Party president. -
Nagy Leaves
Nagy is expelled from Hungarian communist party. Adding insult to injury, he is also replaced as prime minister. -
Protesting Starts
In revolt, workers and students march the streets issuing their Sixteen Points. Marching from the parliament building to Radio Budapest. -
Numbers Grow
While Nagy has returned as prime minister, protesters grow in numbers on the streets of Budapest as they get more angry than peaceful. -
Police Intervene
Police are forced to open fire to separate the crowd, shooting at unarmed protesters. Hundreds are killed and calls are made for general strike. Former prisoner Janos Kadar becomes Nagy's deputy. -
Negotiations
The uprising starts to spread throughout the countryside. Prime Minister Nagy says he wants to discuss the removal of Russian tanks. -
Promises
While negotiations begin between the Soviet Union and Nagy, a new government takes place. Prime Minister Imre Nagy promises the secret police will cease and the Russian troops will be removed in his radio speech. -
Neutral
Nagy declares Hungary will no longer be a part of the Warsaw Pact, thereby remaining neutral. Meanwhile, Soviet troops start to come back across the border, threatening Hungary's reforms. -
Soviet Attacks
About 100 Soviet tanks come over to Hungary in attack before morning, to stop the revolution. The attack is set forth by Soviet leadership. Three hours after Nagy's last call for help, Radio Hungary halts. This is when the United Nations finally calls for the withdrawal of Russian troops. -
Fighting Slows
While the fighting has slowed down, buildings have been destroyed and up to 5,000 people have died or are wounded. Around 700 Russian soldiers are killed in the uprising, some are excuted for not fighting. Hungarian refugees flee to Austria and about 200,000 make it to the west. -
Nagy's Punishment
Because of his part in the uprising Imre Nagy is arrested by Soviet police and is detained in Romania, despite his safe pass, until his secretive trial in 1958. He was then hung but never had a proper funeral until his state funeral in 1989 when his name was cleared. -
Fight for Democracy
Gathering in Budapest, approximately 100,000 people protested for democracy. -
Beginning of the End
Soviet troops begin to leave Hungary -
New Beginnings
The border between Hungary and Austria starts to be taken down. -
The Party is Over
The only Hungarian Communist Party ends. -
End of Communism
Communism finally ceases after Hungary's first democratic election. The Communists are pushed out of control. -
Fresh Start
All of the Soviet troops finally leave Hungary