Hungarian Revolution

What did Communist leader Rakosi do to conrol Hungary

Worked with other parties to convince people Communism is the best option for the future of Hungary
Get rid of rivals, driving them into exile or into prison
In 1947 Communist victory was accompanied by intimidation, political trial and fraud
In 1949, there was no opposition candiates - Rakosi made Hungary a one party state

Propaganda
- Churning information about how Rakosi will lead Hungary to a wonderful future
- Tried to sell Hungarian cattle as Soviet Cattle
- Said Hungarians were wearing warm clothes but they were too expensive to buy - 3 months wages to buy a winter coat
- Forced smiles hid forced collectivisation (private farms -> state owned)

Expensive to buy anything
Soviets took large amount of food from Hungary
Hungarians worked hard for low wages
Quality of goods fell to meet quota - if you did not reach quota you would be an enemy of the people
People lived under fear, speaking out will result in imprisonment/death

AVO (Hungary's State Security Agency)
Monitored people to make sure they are under control and do not speak out about Communism

Rakosi -> Nagy
New reforms were made
- Heavy industry slows down rate of expansion
- Collective farms could disband
- Free markets allowed

Students wanted free speech and free elections and withdrawl of Soviet troops
Hammer and Sickle ripped from the flag
Tearing down propaganda posters and burning of Soviet books
Stalin's statue toppled over and smashed
Hungarians headed to the HQ of Hungarian State Radio
- Wanted their demands to be broadcasted to the nation
Authorities allowed a delegation into the building
- The delegation failed to return and the crowd became restless

Protesters killed by the AVO secret police from inside the HQ of the Hungarian State Radio
Red Army tanks sent in to restore peace

General strike called and thousands of workers became Freedom Fighters
People joined the Freedom Fighters to fight against Soviet soldiers
Children fought too
Soviet Red Army tanks moved in to restore peace
Dropped fire bombs on tank's petrol tanks to blow them up
25th October
- 300 unarmed demonstrators killed by AVO machine gun fire outside Parliment
- Freedom Fighters stormed AVO police HQ
  - When the building was searched, student's bodies found in the basement
  - AVO guards flung out onto the street with their secret files
All over Hungary, AVO beaten to death
After 5 days, the Freedom Fighters have won

Freedom Fighters won against Soviet forces
- Defeated 2 divisions
- Caused tanks to withdraw from Hungary

Censorship lifted
Prisons were opened and victims of years of repression came out including Cardinal Mindszenty
Free elections - end of Communist rule in Hungary
Free speech
Withdrawing Hungary from the Warsaw Pact