The Hungarian revolution began on October 23, 1956, as a peaceful student protest, which grew into a workers revolt
The peaceful demonstration was a support gesture to the anti-communist protests taking place in Poland at the time
The protest movement moved towards a radio building, where protesters wanted to address the nation and make their demands public
The radio headquarters was guarded by the AVH (Secret Police), who opened fire on the protesters trying to force their way into the building
In retaliation, people all over Budapest began destroying symbols of Communism
During the night, Gero, general secretary of the Communist Party, called Soviet authorities to help with military intervention
While the Khrushchev was making a decisions about what to do - a new government was formed and former Prime Minister Imre Nagy took control
The new national government lasted 10 days
The new government drew up new policies:
- The secret police were dissolved
- Nagy announced his intention to withdraw from the Warsaw Pact
- Many political prisoners were released from jail and old political parties resurfaced
The Soviet Union entered Hungary on November 4th, and the revolution is crushed by 11th
13,000 were sent to prison and several hundred, including Nagy, were executed