Hungarian revolution of 1956

Hungarian Revolution of 1956

Part of the Cold War

Flag of Hungary, with the communist coat of arms cut out. The flag with a hole became the symbol of the revolution.

Date	23 October – 10 November 1956
Location	Hungarian People's Republic
Result	Soviet victory; revolution crushed

Belligerents

Soviet Union

Hungary

State Protection Authority

Hungarian revolutionaries

Commanders and leaders

Imre Nagy

Strength

31,550 troops
1,130 tanks
Unknown number of government loyalists

Unknown number of soldiers, militia, and armed civilians

Casualties and losses

Soviet casualties:
722 killed or missing
1,540 wounded

2,500–3,000 killed (est.)
13,000 wounded (est.)

3,000 civilians killed

Soviet Union

Hungary

The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 or the Hungarian Uprising of 1956 (Hungarian: 1956-os forradalom or 1956-os felkelés) was a nationwide revolt against the government of the Hungarian People's Republic and its Soviet-imposed policies, lasting from 23 October until 10 November 1956. Though leaderless when it first began, it was the first major threat to Soviet control since the USSR's forces drove out Nazi Germany from its territory at the end of World War II.

The revolt began as a student demonstration, which attracted thousands as they marched through central Budapest to the Parliament building, calling out on the streets using a van with loudspeakers. A student delegation, entering the radio building to try to broadcast the students' demands, was detained. When the delegation's release was demanded by the demonstrators outside, they were fired upon by the State Security Police (ÁVH) from within the building. One student died and was wrapped in a flag and held above the crowd. This was the start of the revolution. As the news spread, disorder and violence erupted throughout the capital.

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