1956: Year of Revolution
In October 1956, a full-scale revolt against the Communists broke out in Hungary.
Ordinary citizens took up arms in the streets of Budapest and surrounding countryside to protest against the government. The uprising was bloody. During the height of the fighting, Nagy, who was popular with the people, was returned to power.
But the Soviets would not allow such a rebellion. Within days, Soviet troops and tanks entered Hungary and brutally crushed the revolution. Thousands of Hungarians were killed and more then 200,000 fled into Austria to escape arrest and execution. Imre Nagy was arrested and jailed. Two years later, he was executed by the government after a secret trial.
The Soviets then made János Kádár the head of Hungary. He believed that one day many good chances could be possible if Hungary did not challenge the Soviet Union's authority.
