Hungarian Revolution (1919)

The Hungarian Revolution of 1919 refers to a socialist revolution that took place in Hungary in 1919. It led to the formation of the Hungarian Soviet Republic (or the Republic of Councils in Hungary) which became the second socialist state established in the world, and was given direct orders by Lenin.

Background

Following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after World War I, a new liberal republic was established. However, the government lacked a military and had its land occupied by foreign powers. The Hungarian Communist Party organised itself in a hotel in Moscow, and returned to Hungary, recruiting unemployed soldiers, young intellectuals, ethnic minorities and urban industrial workers.

After attempted repression of the movement and street battles with the social democrats, the government attempted to merge with the social democrats to form the Hungarian Socialist Party. After many communists were released from prisons, they carried out a coup against the liberal government and purged social democrats from the government.

Socialist Policies

The policies implemented by the government included:

• Abolition of all aristocratic titles and privileges
• Sepeartion of church and state
• Right to freedom of speech and assembly
• Free education
• Language and cultural rights for minorities
• Nationalisation of industry, banks, transport, housing, healthcare, cultural institutions and large landholdings

In addition, there was the creation of the Lenin Boys, a militia which was deployed in locations where it was suspected a counter-revolution would begin. They began a red terror, executing people without trial and disbanding religious ceremonies, which led to them being attacked by locals. The red terror soon spread to the cities after a failed coup by the social democrats, in which people were executed for suspected involvement with the coup, leading to a loss of support for the government.

The government attempted to form an alliance with socialist Russia, but Lenin refused, citing the need to concentrate on the Russian Civil War, but he still issued commands to them via radio.

Downfall

The government had sustained popularity by promising to regain Hungary's borders, but soon this failed and the army defected. Then, Romania invaded, destroyed the revolution and began a white terror.

Aftermath

Surviving organisers fled to what would become the USSR and were later all killed during the Great Purge.

Legacy

Both the Hungarian People's Republic and 1956 revolution claimed to be the legitimate successors of this revolution.

See Also

• Revolutions of 1916 - 1923

References

Wikipedia - Hungarian Soviet Republic