Nationality and Nationalism in East-Central Europe since the 18th Century

had returned to Hungary with the Soviet army. A patriotic Hungarian at heart, he embarked on a'New Course', the aim ofwhich was to allow Hungary lines develop to along more suited to its resources and traditions. His efforts in his dismissal to introduce a different kind of communism resulted and fall from Communist 1955 in the the the party spring of after expulsion Soviet Union.

Once but in Räkosi Malenkov the control, again resumed of Stalin, decided he Khrushchev in July 1956, after his denunciation that of had to be dismissed. Räkosi's replacement was another Stalinist, Ernö Gerö, he had intention following it the that the outset no clear at of who made `New Course' of Nagy. But Hungary was following with interest events in Poland European East countries, especially and the assumption of other had been Gomulka by a national communist. also who power On 6 October 1956, the anniversary of the execution of the thirteen Arad Laszlo This Gerö Rajk. in 1849, to ceremony a reburial of agreed martyrs October, 23 day has by followed a since a student protest on which was become another of Hungary's national holidays. The students demanded demands freedom for Hungary, the recalling made political and national

by Petöfi in 1848, as well as laying a wreath on the statue of General Bem. Gerö's attempt to quell a further demonstration two days later by allowing members of the secret police to shoot at an unarmed crowd only served had begun.

Hungarian A the revolt now second to make situation worse. have been Unfortunately, the timing of this revolt could not more ill-chosen, by Britain, France it the and unsuccessful attempt made as coincided with Israel to overturn the Nasser regime in Egypt after the nationalisation of forces from its initial As Canal.

Suez the withdrawal of a result, after the Budapest the Soviet Union had no hesitation in launching a massive counterimpassioned Despite November. beginning to appeal an the of attack at Gerö, Hungary had Nagy, Imre by Nations United that replaced who the forthcoming.

Western be aid was recognised as a neutral country, no should At the same time as the Soviet attack began, Janos Kädär, a national Rajk Laszlo been imprisoned had Communist and along with who By formation of a new government. subsequently released, announced the been had 1956 the end of restored and almost a quarter of a million order Hungarians had fled to the West. On 22 November Imre Nagy, who had been promised a safe conduct to Yugoslavia, was kidnapped by the Russians He Budapest. in Embassy Yugoslav left he tried and the subsequently was as 1958. in June in Romania executed its but in time his government At first Kädär was unpopular, own made in became, Soviet Union Hungary the the words of and with compromise