Soviet Invasion of Hungary 1956
Crushing the Hungarian Revolution
When Hungarians rose against Stalinist rule and Soviet domination in 1956, Moscow invaded with armor and artillery. Street battles in Budapest, summary executions, and a refugee wave followed the restoration of a client regime.
Damage
Soviet tanks crushed the 1956 Hungarian Revolution with street fighting, executions, and mass flight.
Lives lost
About 2,500 Hungarian dead in the fighting and reprisals; hundreds of Soviet dead
Value lost
Political independence attempt destroyed; decades of hardened occupation rule
Record Points
- The first Soviet intervention in late October failed to end the uprising.
- A second, heavier invasion in November seized Budapest.
- Imre Nagy and other leaders were later tried and executed.
- Some 200,000 Hungarians fled as refugees.
- Kádár's restored government ruled under Soviet military shadow.
Perpetrator(s)
Victims
Hungarian civilians 1956