Analysis
The Hungary 1956 is considered an unprompted countrywide revolution that took place between 23 October and 10 November 1956. The text notes that the revolution was against the People’s Republic’s government in Hungary. The soviet- inflicted policies is another factor that led to the revolt. Based on this information, it is clear that the text presents the events in the way they occurred during this particular time. Compared to other texts, which address a similar matter, there is a great amount of consistency. This implies that the text addresses the matter in question in the best way as known by many other authors of the same subject. The uprising started as demonstration by some students that drew the attention of several people. The students took to the streets to the parliament buildings via the Budapest. Their presence in the streets was intensified by their use of loud speakers. Unfortunately, the student leaders who tried to air the grievances of their fellow students in the radio building were arrested. However, the students’ demonstration spread across Hungary leading to the formation of militia groups that fought soviet troops. The government of Hungary collapsed. Consequently, Soviet activists went through a rough time because they were detained in exchange of the former prisoners who were then armed. The revolution saw several demands from the people that including the need to change the political structure. This information is well addressed in many texts by different authors who have a proper historical background of the events during this time. We can therefore note that in this particular matter, the text can be relied upon to enhance understanding of the factors, which triggered the occurrence of the revolution. Essentially, this period saw a turn around in the history of Hungary as the text indicates. This is because the efforts imparted during the strikes and the demonstrations really placed pressure of the Soviet Union so that changes began to take place. As per the information provided, it is clear that the text addresses the events taking place to provide the reader with a fair platform from which he or she can understand the happenings, which affected Hungary and culminated to changes taking place in the context of this nation. Therefore, we can make a conclusion that the text is sufficient and competent in presenting the information so recorded.
Moscow had taken control over the people of Hungary and Eastern Europe. This is the reason why Stalin who died in 1953 was accused of misdeeds. Despite Stalin’s death, Moscow did not give up its quest to control the people and resources found in Hungary. Nikita Khrushchev’s bitter attack on the dead Stalin gave hope to the people of Hungary because they foresaw attainment of freedom. Their hope grew especially when a minimally controlled government by the Soviet Union was established. The text notes that there was massive tension that prevailed within the soviet government. There were fears regarding the possible outcomes of the war. As a result, it was necessary to find means of ending the tension by involving the leaders of the nations involved in a forum where they would discuss the detriments that would result from the continued tension. For instance, it was clear that destruction of property and loss of life would demean the importance of living. As such, it was critical to prevent loss of life and destruction of property by entering into an agreement against warring. The text can be relied upon in this matter since eyewitnesses who were present during the time of the revolution have recently witnessed the idea of the tension. As such, we can rely on this information since it indicates real events in the manner in which they took place. Naumov mentions in the book that the relationship between the Soviet Union and the Asian and African people was strengthened through peace initiatives (4). Africa and Asia were in the process of struggling to attain their independence hence too much tension and unfriendly cooperation. The text presents the idea of colonialism as having caused division among the colonized and the colonialists in the places where this took place. It also notes that the idea of colonialism was negatively viewed by majority nations that were independent across the globe. This closely relates with information that various research sources regarding the history of colonialism address. The text therefore addresses a significant issue that should be recorded in the history of the nation just as others address colonial histories of different other nations. Ideally, it is evident that Hungary sought to achieve independence in order to alleviate the malpractices that they experienced because of leadership by foreigners.
The text offers an insight into the several demonstrations that took place during the revolution. The international imperialism was against the will of the people. It was geared towards reinventing a state of land tycoons and capitalism. The article by John MacCormac supports the information in the text by illustrating that peaceful demonstrations were held (4). The demonstrations were solely aimed at fighting for freedom and independence as well as having new political leaders who have the interests of the people at heart. The banners had words such as independence and freedom. This shows that the people were not happy with the way the international imperialists wanted to overthrow the power of the people. However, the socialistic powers in Hungary managed to defeat the agents against their independence as stated in the text. The Hungarian workers and the students had small weapons with support from their army as opposed to the Soviet Union who had sophisticated war materials (MacCormac 5). It is evident that the fighters for liberation in Hungary were the oppressed workers and young Hungary communists as mentioned by Gordey (7).The exchange of fire between the fighting groups only led to several dead bodies at the parliament square. This is an indication that the firing was so intense and the Hungarian people were determined to achieve their freedom despite their lack of huge weapons. Essentially, the text highlights various aspects, which made people to air out the injustices, which did not work out properly for them. As noted in various sources, it is clear that the text has the basic information regarding the happenings that triggered the desire of the people to fight to attain freedom. Despite the fact that the Hungarians did not have effective weapons to fight in the wars that came up in the course of rebellion against the foreign leaders, they did not give up showing their disinterest since they fought relentlessly in order to attain freedom. However, most of them suffered greatly as they were subdued due to lack of effective weapons to stage up firm resistance against the oppressors. Due to their continued effort in pressurizing the foreigners, they were eventually successful. The text presents this information consistently as it happened in the case of the nation providing details regarding the approaches taken as witnesses through research by different historical researchers.
The text highlights that the Hungarian workers and university students rallied together to convince all the citizens to participate in a nationwide strike. Their argument was that they would strike until the government is ready to heed their demands and the murderers face the law. Most people in Hungary who were concerned about the affairs of the nation witnessed these events. Historical scholars therefore found a platform on which they could record the events and happenings so that they could be used in future in developing the history of the nation. This makes the text effective in addressing the significant aspects that prevailed during this time, which resulted to the outcomes that were noted.MacCormac points out that the Hungarians wanted Imre Nagy to be their leader as seen from the pamphlets that were distributed. Following the Hungarian students demands, a resolution was reached in 22 October 1956 where the students demanded withdrawal of all Soviet troops as per the terms and conditions in the peace treaty. They also wanted the government to be restructured led by Imre Nagy and that all criminals who served under Rakosi should be relieved of their duties (Hungarian Students 11). Another demand was a general election that is free and fair with citizens observing a secret ballot exercise. This indicates that the history of Hungary since this time has only changed slightly in their political affairs, which draw mostly from the things proposed in the political platform during this time. This implies that the text is consistent with the true history of the nation as possible. The restructuring of the government has been consistent with the ideas addressed in the text over time, which implies that the text provides necessary and reliable information. This is because there has been consideration of the general demands of the public in the history of the nation, which has worked out effectively for the nation.
The international community had a massive influence on Hungarian revolution. Hungarians remained neutral while waiting for a reply from the West according to Zorza (5). The delayed reply by the Western governments on the situation at Hungary was an advantage to Moscow who wanted to take over the resources owned by Hungarians. Thomas Schreiber in his article demonstrates the determinations of the freedom fighters who only maintained that the westerners had a choice to help them. However, the Hungary’s seek for help from the outside world was interrupted by the partial destruction of the Hungarian News Agency by the Soviet weaponry (Schreiber 7). Kartsev on radio Moscow broadcasted that the enemies of Hungarians and the foreign supporters caused the challenges in Budapest. It further states that those enemies and foreigners hindered the attainment of normalcy due to intensified economic and political instability (Kartsev 8). This statement supports the illustration in the book that the Soviet Union was driven by the need to create a peaceful country. Imre Nagy demonstrates his concern for a peaceful country by asking leaders on a radio broadcast to appeal for help from the international world (Nagy 8). He maintained that any country could fall in the same condition as Hungary hence the need for support. Different sources on the world history address the happenings during this time just as the text notes them. We can therefore conclude that the text is well effective in communicating the historical affairs that prevailed during this time which have played a great role in the world history.
Follow Up Questions
Documents 2, 3, 8, 10 and 14 are most reliable. Documents 2 and 3 provide information with figures for the troops, people and weapons. Document 10 most reliable because the words come directly from Nagy who participated in the revolution and seeking for peace. Document 8 illustrates the statements of a freedom fighter that was determined to make peace. Document 14 lists the demands of the students who were the initial instigators of the revolutions. Their demands expose the weakness in the Soviet government and the need for freedom in Hungary.
Document 6 is least reliable because it does not provide detailed information on the events.
Works Cited
Gusev K., Naumov V. Sovjetunionens historia 1938 - 1970, Progress Moskva. From a Soviet book (translated into Swedish). 1976
MacCormac John. The New York Times (New York), 24 October 1956
MacCormac John. The New York Times (New York), 27 October 1956
Zorza Viktor. Manchester Guardian (Manchester), 3 November 1956
Nagy Imre. From the last radio broadcast, 4 November 1956
Gordey Michel. France-Soir (Paris), 13 November 1956
Schreiber Thomas. Le Monde (Paris), 7 December 1956
V. Kartsev on Radio Moscow, a radio broadcast, 2 November 1956
