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Toward the end of World War II, the Soviet Army occupied Hungary, with the country coming under the Soviet Union's sphere of influence. Immediately after World War II, Hungary was a multiparty democracy, and elections in 1945 produced a coalition government under Prime Minister Zoltán Tildy. -
Soviet leaders changed their mind and decided to intervene in Hungary. The exact reason for this reversal is not known but may have been made after viewing video footage of the violence in Republic Square and witnessing the loss of Communist control or due to concern about Hungary withdrawing from the Warsaw Pact. Khruschev did not want to appear weak and he was also concerned that if Hungary abandoned Communism other Eastern Bloc countries would follow. -
Nikita Khrushchev denounces Joseph Stalin at the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. -
Details of Khrushchev’s Secret Speech quickly spread and people in Eastern Bloc countries hoped that greater freedom would follow -
After Khrushchev's "secret speech" of February 1956, which denounced Stalin and his protégés, Rákosi was deposed as General Secretary of the Party and replaced by Ernő Gerő on 18 July 1956. -
reburial of Rajk László and reevaluation of the Rákosi era -
MEFESZ was established -
word of it went around the world. Financial support came to Hungary from the countries of Europe, but what the people here expected the most, the military and political help, was missing. -
National Guard was established -
Prime Minister Imre Nagy broadcast an immediate cease fire and declared that the government would establish democracy, freedom of speech and freedom of religion. -
end of the one party system
(former political parties were reesatblished) also the release of Mindszenty József -
Nagy Imre denounced the Warsaw Pact (Hungary became neutral) -
Soviet forces launched their attack on Budapest. Soviet tanks were stationed at strategic points thoughout the city of Budapest. The Hungarian army tried to resist the assault (The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 Hungarian Revolution is crushed on November 4). -
Revolutionary Workers’ and Peasants’
Government was formed during the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 with Soviet support with the aim of replacing the Imre Nagy government -
Krushchev opened the 20th Communist Party Congress by asking delegates to honour those leaders that had died since the last Congress. Stalin’s death was included in the list and given no special mention.