blindpig
10-13-2016, 08:58 AM
Janos Berecz
1956
Counter-Revolution
in Hungary
- Words and Weapons -
Akademiai Kiado, Budapest 1986
Translated from the second,
enlarged and revised edition of
Ellenforradalom tollal es fegyverrel 1956.
Published by Kossuth Konyvkiado, Budapest, 1981
Translated by Istvan Butykay
Translation revised by Charles Coutts
Contents
ISBN 963 05 4370 2
© Akademiai Kiado, Budapest 1986
Printed in Hungary
Preface. 7
Chapter 1. Hungary and the International Situation before
1956. 9
Chapter 2. The Doctrines of "Containment" and "Libera-
tion "—Political Warfare (1947-1954) 14
Chapter 3. The First Phase of Operation FOCUS (1954-1955) 25
3.1. The Beginnings of Intervention 25
3.2. The Internal Situation of Hungary 32
3.3. Attack Launched by the External Enemy 43
3.4. Reactivating the Internal Enemy 48
Chapter4. The Second Phase of Operation FOCUS (1956).... 58
4.1. The Bankruptcy of the Dogmatic Leadership of the
Party 58
4.2. The Group of Imre Nagy Organizes Itself into Party
Opposition 63
4.3. Preparations for a Coordinated Attack 71
4.4. The Situation before the Explosion 77
4.5. The Eve of the Counter-Revolution 83
Chapter 5. The Socialist Forces against Counter-Revolution-
ary Revolt and Treachery (From October 23 to November
4,1956) 97
5.1. The Preparation of the Demonstration 97
5.2. The First Phase of the Armed Revolt 103
5.3. The Struggle Waged by the Forces Loyal to Socialism 114
5.4. Imre Nagy and Radio Free Europe Call for the With-
drawal of Soviet Troops 130
5.5. The Second Phase of the Counter-Revolution: Resto-
ration and "Neutrality" 137
5.6. Action to Liquidate Workers' Power. 144
5.7. The Reality of " Neutral Hungary" 155
Chapter 6. The Armed Suppression of the Counter-Revolu-
tion with the Assistance of Soviet Troops 172
6.1. The Internal Circumstances of the Suppression of the
Counter-Revolution 174
6.2. The International Circumstances of the Armed Sup-
pression of the Counter-Revolution 188
Chapter 7. The Foundation of Socialist Consolidation 199
7.1. The Establishment of a New Revolutionary Centre 199
7.2. International Assistance and the Role of the Domestic
Forces 208
7.3. Shoulder to Shoulder with the Working Masses for
Socialist Consolidation 215
Preface
The present volume remains exceptionally timely, despite
the passage of time since its first edition in 1969. Memories
of the counter-revolution of 1956 in Hungary are kept alive
all over the world for widely varying reasons.
It is the intention of the class forces hostile to socialism to
use every means in their power everywhere to discredit social-
ist society and to limit or diminish the influence of revolu-
tionary ideals. According to their interpretation, the Hun-
garian counter-revolution of 1956 showed clearly that the
Hungarian people had not supported socialism regarding it
as an alien phenomenon.
The Hungarian Communists as well as the revolutionary
movements beyond the country's borders consider the histo-
ry of socialism in Hungary between 1953 and 1957 as an im-
portant source of historical experience. They think that the
lessons of the period must be remembered. Communists be-
lieve that conclusions can still be drawn from the events
themselves and their underlying causes. It is equally impor-
tant that these conclusions should be passed on to the com-
ing generations of a constantly renewing society in order to
help them avoid errors and avert new tragedies. This is at
least as important as the need to recognize the new demands
of new periods.
Almost three decades have passed since the events and the
crushing of the 1956 counter-revolution in Hungary. This
anniversary offers an opportunity to review history. Our
class enemies continue to play the same old tune, but to a
rather new instrumentation. While extolling the counter-
revolutionary actions, they have to admit the fact that the
past thirty years in Hungary represent a period of steady
progress. However, the emigre reactionaries who lament
their wrecked hopes, continue to pursue a blindly incorri-
gible approach, deploring the passing of the ultimate oppor-
tunity for a take-over in Hungary. Some who played an im-
portant role in those days are overwhelmed by nostalgia and
nurse fresh hopes. They are certain to suffer new disap-
pointments, for they have broken away from Hungarian
reality and the actual power relations.
Social tensions and conflicts occurring in the socialist
countries often recall the Hungarian experience. Events in
Czechoslovakia in 1968, and those that have been going on
in Poland since July 1980 have caused attention to be fo-
cussed repeatedly on Hungary. When placed in this way un-
der the magnifying glass of contemporary analysis the les-
sons drawn from the events of 1956 in Hungary are shown
to be increasingly timely. It is especially important to em-
phasize the significance of political struggle on two fronts,
and the need to stand firm.
Eventful and rich in experiences though the intervening
years have been since the first publication of this book in
1969, we do not feel it necessary to subject it to extensive re-
vision. However, as time has marched on, an increasing
number of documents have become available and have been
used to clarify at some points and to provide greater accura-
cy at others. I considered it very important to give a more
detailed picture of the circumstances in which the Hungar-
ian Revolutionary Workers' and Peasants' Government was
formed and took the initial steps towards socialist consoli-
dation. It is also important to discuss the lasting lessons
which arise from these circumstances. Therefore, a new
chapter has been added to this second edition under the title
"The Foundations of Socialist Consolidation".
Janos Berecz
Chapter 1
Hungary and the International
Situation before 1956
In our age, in the mutual relationships of nations, the
possibility for influencing other nations has vastly ex-
panded. The simultaneous existence of socialism and capi-
talism in the two opposing world systems has brought about
an expansion and intensification of the international class
struggle. Today important issues concerning the future of
mankind are being settled in the arena of international class
struggle. The nations (especially the smaller ones) can no
longer make themselves independent of international con-
flicts and the international balance of forces. The growing
power and quantity of weapons exert a political influence
and place a heavy responsibility on Communist and peace-
loving forces with whom the future of mankind lies. All this
increases the importance of the fraternal relations and co-
operation among countries belonging to the socialist world
system. The responsibility they bear towards one another
and their unity on the most essential issues are factors pro-
viding the firm basis for their international power.
Soon after World War II, the situation of the People's
Republic of Hungary was basically determined by the fact
that the country started to build socialism under the leader-
ship of the working class and became a member of the so-
cialist world community. The establishment and subsequent
strengthening of the socialist world system were the most
important external factors in Hungary's development and in
the creative work of the Hungarian people.
The unity of the community of socialist countries emerged
in the sharp international class struggles between two oppos-
ing social systems. Simultaneously, there were sharp class
struggles between the forces of progress and reaction in the
new socialist countries. The imperialists helped with all
means at their disposal the internal reactionary forces and
they attempted to foment conflict between the countries
that had chosen the path of socialism.
That struggle, the joining of forces and the united posi-
tion taken by the Soviet Union and the countries of People's
Democracy became an international factor creating a new
type of relations between peoples based on the principles of
proletarian internationalism. The unity of the socialist
world system has become the international guarantee of
progress, the national cause of each socialist country and
the key to their peace, national independence and security.
In this process the socialist world system has become the
most decisive factor of our age. By 1956 it could already be
recognized that power relations were shifting in favour of
socialism and there were also obvious indications that the
world community of socialist countries was in the posses-
sion of fundamental and desicive economic, political and
military power.
The foundations for the unity of socialist countries had
been laid by bilateral and multi-lateral friendship, coopera-
tion and mutual assistance agreements. This joining of forces
made it impossible for the economic embargo imposed by
the imperialist countries to achieve its objective. The econ-
omies of the socialist countries made rapid progress. In
this process the international organ for economic coopera-
tion between socialist countries, the Council for Mutual
Economic Assistance (CMEA) was also established (1949).
Close political and economic cooperation came to be
supplemented with a military alliance in order to counter-
balance constant war threats and attempts at intervention.
In May 1955, the Warsaw Treaty Organization, a defensive
alliance of the European socialist countries, was established
long after the foundation of different aggressive imperialist
military blocs. The Treaty contributed to an increase in the
military strength of the socialist world system, and it made
it possible for the People's Democracies to rely also on the
10
armed force of the countries affiliated to the organization in
defence of their own land.
In the early 1950's the socialist forces of the world achieved
substantial successes at the expense of cold war policies.
Stages in a series of reverses for cold war policies were
marked by the ending of the Korean war (1953), the Geneva
Conference (1954), the Summit Meeting (heads of govern-
ment of the big powers), the conclusion of the Austrian
State Treaty (1955), and so on. As a result and in the wake
of the successes scored by the national liberation move-
ments the positions of imperialists were shaken. This gave
evidence, in the first place, of the strength of and increased
role played by the socialist world system.
The fact that Hungary had become a member of the so-
cialist world system represented a substantial strengthening
of the position of the People's Republic. For the first time
in her history, Hungary could make progress over a long pe-
riod of time as member of the group of countries that was
struggling with the most progressive ideas for the prosperity
and peace of all humanity. Due to her economic achieve-
ments and peace-loving policy, Hungary found the way out
of isolation and achieved international reputation. As a re-
sult of this policy the Hungarian People's Republic estab-
lished diplomatic relations with 41 countries and trade rela-
tions with 91 states during the 12 years following World
War II. In that period the Hungarian state and its organs
became members of some 300 inter-governmental, social,
economic, cultural, scientific, health, sport and other inter-
national organizations. Following eight years of struggle,
the People's Republic of Hungary occupied her merited seat
in United Nations in the autumn of 1955.
The fact that Hungary belonged to the socialist world sys-
tem became one of the essential conditions of her economic
prosperity. Jn spite of the fact that Hungary is poor in raw
materials, she managed to establish a fairly advanced in-
dustry founded upon the Soviet Union's raw material basis.
Related figures can help illustrate the point. In 1955, the
share of the Soviet Union in Hungary's annual import was
28.2 per cent, the corresponding figure for exports to that
11
country was 32.2 per cent. The overwhelming majority of
Soviet deliveries were raw materials. Of the raw materials
used in Hungary in 1955, 71 per cent of the iron ore, 80 per
cent of the pig iron, 30 per cent of foundry lead, 81 per cent
of sulphur, 81 per cent of raw phosphate, 77 per cent of na-
tive soda, 30 per cent of synthetic rubber, 80 per cent pine
timber and 55 per cent of raw cotton were imported from
the Soviet Union. At the same time, machines and engineer-
ing products accounted for over 50 per cent of Hungarian
deliveries to the Soviet Union, a figure corresponding to al-
most 20 per cent of the annual output of Hungary's engi-
neering industry.
The development and strength of the socialist world sys-
tem, the friendship and fraternal cooperation established
between the peoples of the socialist countries were decisive
factors of the defence of national independence, the prosper-
ity of the Hungarian people and the increased respect en-
joyed on the international scene.
Socialist development, however, was not an unbroken
process free from obstacles neither in Hungary nor in other
countries. To defeat the country's "own" bourgeoisie, to
wage constant struggle against international imperialism
with its enormous powerful material foundations and back-
ing, and to find the best possible and most successful meth-
od for building a new world under the conditions of eco-
nomic backwardness are extremely demanding tasks even in
a historical perspective. Today we know only too well that
the efforts made to find the right path also led to serious
mistakes, unnecessary detours and sacrifices that could have
been avoided in the first decade of socialist construction.
In addition to the objective difficulties, the situation was
aggravated by the errors committed by leaders who based
their policies on views alien to Marxism — Leninism, espe-
cially in the form of the cult of personality. The cold war
imposed on the socialist countries by the imperialists and
the development of defensive potential placed additional
burdens on peoples already making great sacrifices in con-
struction work. As a result, the socialist countries were
unable to ensure an increase in living standards correspond-
12
ing to their declared and planned goals. All these factors
created tension within the the socialist world system as well.
The external and internal enemies tried to make use of
these areas of tension for their own purposes. They did not
hesitate to do harm wherever they found an opportunity to
do so. In their actions a particularly important role was as-
signed to the armed provocation of June 17, 1953 in Berlin,
organized under the cover name of "X-Day". Although that
particular attempt was foiled and its organizers fell flat,
they continued to busy themselves planning new actions
using different tactics and methods. Their propaganda or-
gans sought to disrupt the unity of the socialist countries
and make conditions more difficult for the building of so-
cialism in the individual countries by exerting constant psy-
chological pressure.
The Twentieth Congress of the Communist Party of the
Soviet Union summarized its own experiences and those of
the other socialist countries in a creative way in February
1956. The Congress revealed the very grave consequences of
the personality cult and disclosed the errors originating from
sectarian and dogmatic policies violating the laws of building
socialism. It adopted measures designed to restore socialist le-
gality and the Leninist norms of party life. The Congress
took note of the results achieved, but it also disclosed the
disturbing factors in the life of and relations between the so-
cialist countries and pointed out the methods of eliminating
them. However, the correct criticism and programme of the
Twentieth Congress were not followed immediately by the
necessary measures. Some Communists were confused by the
new conclusions and it took some time for them to find the
correct methods and the new style of leadership.
A large measure of critical examination began after the
Congress in the ranks of Hungarian socialists. In this pro-
cess anti-party forces also made their appearance. Taking
advantage of the time necessary to translate the ideas of the
Twentieth Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet
Union into practice, international imperialism launched an
immediate and concentrated attack on law and order in the
People's Republic of Hungary.
13
https://archive.org/details/1956Counter-revolutionInHungary
Invaluable resource. A number of formats are available for download, that above 'full text', not ideal but 'text' too crowded, not sure about others.
1956
Counter-Revolution
in Hungary
- Words and Weapons -
Akademiai Kiado, Budapest 1986
Translated from the second,
enlarged and revised edition of
Ellenforradalom tollal es fegyverrel 1956.
Published by Kossuth Konyvkiado, Budapest, 1981
Translated by Istvan Butykay
Translation revised by Charles Coutts
Contents
ISBN 963 05 4370 2
© Akademiai Kiado, Budapest 1986
Printed in Hungary
Preface. 7
Chapter 1. Hungary and the International Situation before
1956. 9
Chapter 2. The Doctrines of "Containment" and "Libera-
tion "—Political Warfare (1947-1954) 14
Chapter 3. The First Phase of Operation FOCUS (1954-1955) 25
3.1. The Beginnings of Intervention 25
3.2. The Internal Situation of Hungary 32
3.3. Attack Launched by the External Enemy 43
3.4. Reactivating the Internal Enemy 48
Chapter4. The Second Phase of Operation FOCUS (1956).... 58
4.1. The Bankruptcy of the Dogmatic Leadership of the
Party 58
4.2. The Group of Imre Nagy Organizes Itself into Party
Opposition 63
4.3. Preparations for a Coordinated Attack 71
4.4. The Situation before the Explosion 77
4.5. The Eve of the Counter-Revolution 83
Chapter 5. The Socialist Forces against Counter-Revolution-
ary Revolt and Treachery (From October 23 to November
4,1956) 97
5.1. The Preparation of the Demonstration 97
5.2. The First Phase of the Armed Revolt 103
5.3. The Struggle Waged by the Forces Loyal to Socialism 114
5.4. Imre Nagy and Radio Free Europe Call for the With-
drawal of Soviet Troops 130
5.5. The Second Phase of the Counter-Revolution: Resto-
ration and "Neutrality" 137
5.6. Action to Liquidate Workers' Power. 144
5.7. The Reality of " Neutral Hungary" 155
Chapter 6. The Armed Suppression of the Counter-Revolu-
tion with the Assistance of Soviet Troops 172
6.1. The Internal Circumstances of the Suppression of the
Counter-Revolution 174
6.2. The International Circumstances of the Armed Sup-
pression of the Counter-Revolution 188
Chapter 7. The Foundation of Socialist Consolidation 199
7.1. The Establishment of a New Revolutionary Centre 199
7.2. International Assistance and the Role of the Domestic
Forces 208
7.3. Shoulder to Shoulder with the Working Masses for
Socialist Consolidation 215
Preface
The present volume remains exceptionally timely, despite
the passage of time since its first edition in 1969. Memories
of the counter-revolution of 1956 in Hungary are kept alive
all over the world for widely varying reasons.
It is the intention of the class forces hostile to socialism to
use every means in their power everywhere to discredit social-
ist society and to limit or diminish the influence of revolu-
tionary ideals. According to their interpretation, the Hun-
garian counter-revolution of 1956 showed clearly that the
Hungarian people had not supported socialism regarding it
as an alien phenomenon.
The Hungarian Communists as well as the revolutionary
movements beyond the country's borders consider the histo-
ry of socialism in Hungary between 1953 and 1957 as an im-
portant source of historical experience. They think that the
lessons of the period must be remembered. Communists be-
lieve that conclusions can still be drawn from the events
themselves and their underlying causes. It is equally impor-
tant that these conclusions should be passed on to the com-
ing generations of a constantly renewing society in order to
help them avoid errors and avert new tragedies. This is at
least as important as the need to recognize the new demands
of new periods.
Almost three decades have passed since the events and the
crushing of the 1956 counter-revolution in Hungary. This
anniversary offers an opportunity to review history. Our
class enemies continue to play the same old tune, but to a
rather new instrumentation. While extolling the counter-
revolutionary actions, they have to admit the fact that the
past thirty years in Hungary represent a period of steady
progress. However, the emigre reactionaries who lament
their wrecked hopes, continue to pursue a blindly incorri-
gible approach, deploring the passing of the ultimate oppor-
tunity for a take-over in Hungary. Some who played an im-
portant role in those days are overwhelmed by nostalgia and
nurse fresh hopes. They are certain to suffer new disap-
pointments, for they have broken away from Hungarian
reality and the actual power relations.
Social tensions and conflicts occurring in the socialist
countries often recall the Hungarian experience. Events in
Czechoslovakia in 1968, and those that have been going on
in Poland since July 1980 have caused attention to be fo-
cussed repeatedly on Hungary. When placed in this way un-
der the magnifying glass of contemporary analysis the les-
sons drawn from the events of 1956 in Hungary are shown
to be increasingly timely. It is especially important to em-
phasize the significance of political struggle on two fronts,
and the need to stand firm.
Eventful and rich in experiences though the intervening
years have been since the first publication of this book in
1969, we do not feel it necessary to subject it to extensive re-
vision. However, as time has marched on, an increasing
number of documents have become available and have been
used to clarify at some points and to provide greater accura-
cy at others. I considered it very important to give a more
detailed picture of the circumstances in which the Hungar-
ian Revolutionary Workers' and Peasants' Government was
formed and took the initial steps towards socialist consoli-
dation. It is also important to discuss the lasting lessons
which arise from these circumstances. Therefore, a new
chapter has been added to this second edition under the title
"The Foundations of Socialist Consolidation".
Janos Berecz
Chapter 1
Hungary and the International
Situation before 1956
In our age, in the mutual relationships of nations, the
possibility for influencing other nations has vastly ex-
panded. The simultaneous existence of socialism and capi-
talism in the two opposing world systems has brought about
an expansion and intensification of the international class
struggle. Today important issues concerning the future of
mankind are being settled in the arena of international class
struggle. The nations (especially the smaller ones) can no
longer make themselves independent of international con-
flicts and the international balance of forces. The growing
power and quantity of weapons exert a political influence
and place a heavy responsibility on Communist and peace-
loving forces with whom the future of mankind lies. All this
increases the importance of the fraternal relations and co-
operation among countries belonging to the socialist world
system. The responsibility they bear towards one another
and their unity on the most essential issues are factors pro-
viding the firm basis for their international power.
Soon after World War II, the situation of the People's
Republic of Hungary was basically determined by the fact
that the country started to build socialism under the leader-
ship of the working class and became a member of the so-
cialist world community. The establishment and subsequent
strengthening of the socialist world system were the most
important external factors in Hungary's development and in
the creative work of the Hungarian people.
The unity of the community of socialist countries emerged
in the sharp international class struggles between two oppos-
ing social systems. Simultaneously, there were sharp class
struggles between the forces of progress and reaction in the
new socialist countries. The imperialists helped with all
means at their disposal the internal reactionary forces and
they attempted to foment conflict between the countries
that had chosen the path of socialism.
That struggle, the joining of forces and the united posi-
tion taken by the Soviet Union and the countries of People's
Democracy became an international factor creating a new
type of relations between peoples based on the principles of
proletarian internationalism. The unity of the socialist
world system has become the international guarantee of
progress, the national cause of each socialist country and
the key to their peace, national independence and security.
In this process the socialist world system has become the
most decisive factor of our age. By 1956 it could already be
recognized that power relations were shifting in favour of
socialism and there were also obvious indications that the
world community of socialist countries was in the posses-
sion of fundamental and desicive economic, political and
military power.
The foundations for the unity of socialist countries had
been laid by bilateral and multi-lateral friendship, coopera-
tion and mutual assistance agreements. This joining of forces
made it impossible for the economic embargo imposed by
the imperialist countries to achieve its objective. The econ-
omies of the socialist countries made rapid progress. In
this process the international organ for economic coopera-
tion between socialist countries, the Council for Mutual
Economic Assistance (CMEA) was also established (1949).
Close political and economic cooperation came to be
supplemented with a military alliance in order to counter-
balance constant war threats and attempts at intervention.
In May 1955, the Warsaw Treaty Organization, a defensive
alliance of the European socialist countries, was established
long after the foundation of different aggressive imperialist
military blocs. The Treaty contributed to an increase in the
military strength of the socialist world system, and it made
it possible for the People's Democracies to rely also on the
10
armed force of the countries affiliated to the organization in
defence of their own land.
In the early 1950's the socialist forces of the world achieved
substantial successes at the expense of cold war policies.
Stages in a series of reverses for cold war policies were
marked by the ending of the Korean war (1953), the Geneva
Conference (1954), the Summit Meeting (heads of govern-
ment of the big powers), the conclusion of the Austrian
State Treaty (1955), and so on. As a result and in the wake
of the successes scored by the national liberation move-
ments the positions of imperialists were shaken. This gave
evidence, in the first place, of the strength of and increased
role played by the socialist world system.
The fact that Hungary had become a member of the so-
cialist world system represented a substantial strengthening
of the position of the People's Republic. For the first time
in her history, Hungary could make progress over a long pe-
riod of time as member of the group of countries that was
struggling with the most progressive ideas for the prosperity
and peace of all humanity. Due to her economic achieve-
ments and peace-loving policy, Hungary found the way out
of isolation and achieved international reputation. As a re-
sult of this policy the Hungarian People's Republic estab-
lished diplomatic relations with 41 countries and trade rela-
tions with 91 states during the 12 years following World
War II. In that period the Hungarian state and its organs
became members of some 300 inter-governmental, social,
economic, cultural, scientific, health, sport and other inter-
national organizations. Following eight years of struggle,
the People's Republic of Hungary occupied her merited seat
in United Nations in the autumn of 1955.
The fact that Hungary belonged to the socialist world sys-
tem became one of the essential conditions of her economic
prosperity. Jn spite of the fact that Hungary is poor in raw
materials, she managed to establish a fairly advanced in-
dustry founded upon the Soviet Union's raw material basis.
Related figures can help illustrate the point. In 1955, the
share of the Soviet Union in Hungary's annual import was
28.2 per cent, the corresponding figure for exports to that
11
country was 32.2 per cent. The overwhelming majority of
Soviet deliveries were raw materials. Of the raw materials
used in Hungary in 1955, 71 per cent of the iron ore, 80 per
cent of the pig iron, 30 per cent of foundry lead, 81 per cent
of sulphur, 81 per cent of raw phosphate, 77 per cent of na-
tive soda, 30 per cent of synthetic rubber, 80 per cent pine
timber and 55 per cent of raw cotton were imported from
the Soviet Union. At the same time, machines and engineer-
ing products accounted for over 50 per cent of Hungarian
deliveries to the Soviet Union, a figure corresponding to al-
most 20 per cent of the annual output of Hungary's engi-
neering industry.
The development and strength of the socialist world sys-
tem, the friendship and fraternal cooperation established
between the peoples of the socialist countries were decisive
factors of the defence of national independence, the prosper-
ity of the Hungarian people and the increased respect en-
joyed on the international scene.
Socialist development, however, was not an unbroken
process free from obstacles neither in Hungary nor in other
countries. To defeat the country's "own" bourgeoisie, to
wage constant struggle against international imperialism
with its enormous powerful material foundations and back-
ing, and to find the best possible and most successful meth-
od for building a new world under the conditions of eco-
nomic backwardness are extremely demanding tasks even in
a historical perspective. Today we know only too well that
the efforts made to find the right path also led to serious
mistakes, unnecessary detours and sacrifices that could have
been avoided in the first decade of socialist construction.
In addition to the objective difficulties, the situation was
aggravated by the errors committed by leaders who based
their policies on views alien to Marxism — Leninism, espe-
cially in the form of the cult of personality. The cold war
imposed on the socialist countries by the imperialists and
the development of defensive potential placed additional
burdens on peoples already making great sacrifices in con-
struction work. As a result, the socialist countries were
unable to ensure an increase in living standards correspond-
12
ing to their declared and planned goals. All these factors
created tension within the the socialist world system as well.
The external and internal enemies tried to make use of
these areas of tension for their own purposes. They did not
hesitate to do harm wherever they found an opportunity to
do so. In their actions a particularly important role was as-
signed to the armed provocation of June 17, 1953 in Berlin,
organized under the cover name of "X-Day". Although that
particular attempt was foiled and its organizers fell flat,
they continued to busy themselves planning new actions
using different tactics and methods. Their propaganda or-
gans sought to disrupt the unity of the socialist countries
and make conditions more difficult for the building of so-
cialism in the individual countries by exerting constant psy-
chological pressure.
The Twentieth Congress of the Communist Party of the
Soviet Union summarized its own experiences and those of
the other socialist countries in a creative way in February
1956. The Congress revealed the very grave consequences of
the personality cult and disclosed the errors originating from
sectarian and dogmatic policies violating the laws of building
socialism. It adopted measures designed to restore socialist le-
gality and the Leninist norms of party life. The Congress
took note of the results achieved, but it also disclosed the
disturbing factors in the life of and relations between the so-
cialist countries and pointed out the methods of eliminating
them. However, the correct criticism and programme of the
Twentieth Congress were not followed immediately by the
necessary measures. Some Communists were confused by the
new conclusions and it took some time for them to find the
correct methods and the new style of leadership.
A large measure of critical examination began after the
Congress in the ranks of Hungarian socialists. In this pro-
cess anti-party forces also made their appearance. Taking
advantage of the time necessary to translate the ideas of the
Twentieth Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet
Union into practice, international imperialism launched an
immediate and concentrated attack on law and order in the
People's Republic of Hungary.
13
https://archive.org/details/1956Counter-revolutionInHungary
Invaluable resource. A number of formats are available for download, that above 'full text', not ideal but 'text' too crowded, not sure about others.