“The times of that superstition which
attributed revolutions to the ill-will of a few agitators have long passed away.
Everyone knows nowadays that, wherever there is a revolutionary convulsion, there must be
some social want in the background which is prevented by outworn institutions from
satisfying itself… Every attempt at forcible repression will only bring it forth
stronger until it bursts its fetters.”
KARL MARX
October 23, 1956: Students hold demonstration in front of the General Bem
statue demanding reforms, democratization, and the return of premier Imre Nagy. When
students attempt to be heard over Budapest radio, police try to disperse crowd with tear
gas, beatings and numerous arrests. The crowd attempts to free the students and the police
open fire. The bloody revolution begins as the demonstration turns into a riot and street
fighting breaks out. Martial law is declared, a call for Russian troops issued, and,
during the night, Soviet tanks and jets are reported used against demonstrators.
Fighting soon spread to other parts of the country as “freedom
fighters” took over factories, weapons depots, and many Soviet tanks. Radio
Free Europe and the Voice of America indicated help was on its way and encouraged the
Hungarians to fight, and they did. The Soviets pulled back. A new free,
multi-party government was formed almost overnight, hope filled the air.
But the leaders of the young Republic and others new the Soviets would be back and tried
in vain to negotiate Soviet troop withdrawals, even using Leninist language of
“equality among nations.” The Soviets invited the new Prime Minister, Imre
Nagy, to negotiate peace in Transylvania. Nagy and General Maleter were never heard
from again as they were executed under a white flag of truce. This barbaric act was
repeated all over Hungary as Soviet troops ruthlessly attacked the new Republic.
State Minister Bibo on November 4th, as Soviets continued their massive
attack on Hungary: “I appeal to the great powers of the world for a wise and
courageous decision in the interest of my enslaved nation and of the liberty of all
Eastern European nations. God preserve Hungary…”
Hungary repeated free radio broadcast calls for Western help. But the West
never came. November 4th marked the end of Hungary’s valiant fight. But marked the
beginning of suffering for thousands involved in the fight for freedom. Thousands
died, and many more many more jailed. 2% of the population, over 200,000 people,
were forced to flee. But Resistance continued. The revolution finally succeeded in the
incredible year of 1989. There are no more Soviet troops on Hungary’s soil and
Hungary will soon be a member of NATO.
The Hungarians have tried numerous times to rid themselves of foreign
domination and oppression: Turks, Austrians, Russians and now Rumanians, Slovaks, and
Serbs. We can not forget the heroes of these noble struggles. We must support the
Hungarians who now live outside the arbitrary borders of Hungary and their desire for
freedom and self-determination. Hungarians must also make the “West”
remember her forefather’s sacrifices for freedom and democracy. Éljen a Magyar
Köztársaság!
Links:
One of the finest sites on the ‘Net, the Corvinus
Virtual Library on Hungarian History, maintains a detailed site devoted to the Hungarian Revolt of 1956.
It includes a chronology of events as well as radio broadcasts and interviews.
Visit the Hungarian American Coalition’s site
and access “Meeting 1956,” an interesting set of interviews with 15 people who
were sentenced to die following the revolution, but survived. Includes photos. In
Hungarian and English.
