From 1945 on the Hungarians were under the control of Moscow. All wealth of whatever nature was taken from Hungary by the Russians who showed their power by putting thousands of Russian troops and hundreds of tanks in Hungary. The Hungarian leader, Rakosi, was put in power by Stalin of Russia. WhenStalin died in 1953 all people in Eastern Europe were given some hope that they might be free from Soviet (Russian) rule.

In February 1956, the new Russian leader Khruschev made a bitter attack on the dead Stalin and his policies and in July 1956 in a gesture to the Hungarians, Rakosi was forced to resign. In fact, the Hungarians had expected more but they did not get it. This situation, combined with 1) a bad harvest 2) fuel shortages 3) a cold and wet autumn all created a volatile situation.

 

On 24 October, Imre Nagy took over as Prime Minister.   He asked Khrushchev to take out the Russian troops.  

 

On 28 October, Khrushchev agreed, and the Russian army pulled out of Budapest.

 

29 October – 3 November:   The new Hungarian government introduced democracy, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion (the leader of the Catholic Church was freed from prison).   Nagy also announced that Hungary was going to leave the Warsaw Pact.

 

On 4 November, at dawn, 1000 Russian tanks rolled into Budapest.  By 8.10 am they had destroyed the Hungarian army and captured Hungarian Radio – its last words broadcast were ‘Help!   Help!  Help”!’   Hungarian people – even children – fought them with machine guns.   Some 4000 Hungarians killed fighting the Russians.

President Eisenhower of USA said “I feel with the Hungarian people.” J F Dulles, American Secretary of State, said “To all those suffering under communist slavery, let us say you can count on us.” But America did nothing more.

So why did Europe and America do nothing except offer moral support and condemn Russia ?