Hungary and Soviet power in Eastern Europe
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can explain the causes, events and consequences of the Hungarian Uprising of 1956.
Key learning points
- The Hungarian Uprising (1956) was caused by anger due to declining living standards and a desire for greater freedom.
- Khrushchev attempted to end the Hungarian Uprising by installing Imre Nagy as leader and supporting his reforms.
- When Nagy announced that Hungary would leave the Warsaw Pact, the USSR invaded and crushed the Hungarian Uprising.
- The West opposed the Soviet invasion of Hungary but did not intervene.
- The defeat of the Hungarian Uprising strengthened the USSR and Khrushchev.
Keywords
Satellite state - a country controlled by or depending on a more powerful country
Uprising - an act of resistance or rebellion
Oppression - unfair treatment that limits people's freedom
Containment - American policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism into non-communist countries
Common misconception
Mátyás Rákosi was the leader of Hungary at the start of the Hungarian Uprising.
Rákosi was forced to quit as leader in July 1956 when he lost the support of the USSR but widespread anger amongst ordinary Hungarians remained. Khrushchev installed Imre Nagy as leader on 26th October 1956 in an attempt to end protests.
Teacher tip
Ask students to roleplay as advisors of President Eisenhower at the beginning of the Hungarian Uprising. Divide the class with some students advising Eisenhower to intervene in support of the uprising and other students explaining why the USA should not become involved.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Write the missing word. is the process of supplying yourself or others with new weapons, especially in order to become a strong military power again.
Q2.Which two countries were members of NATO?
Q3.Which two countries were members of the Warsaw Pact?
Q4.In which year was NATO founded?
Q5.The entry of which country into NATO triggered the creation of the Warsaw Pact?
Q6.Starting with the earliest, sort the following events into chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which word describes a change introduced to improve something, often a system or law?
Q2.What was the name of the American policy aimed at preventing the spread of communism into non-communist countries?
Q3.Complete the sentence: When Imre Nagy announced that Hungary would leave the Pact, the USSR invaded and crushed the Hungarian Uprising.
Q4.Why did the Hungarian Uprising break out in 1956?
Q5.How many Soviet troops invaded Hungary on 4th November 1956?
Q6.Which of the following were consequences of the Hungarian Uprising?
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Hungary and Soviet power in Eastern Europe, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: Hungary and Soviet power in Eastern Europe, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the Wider Depth Study - Conflict and tension between East and West, 1945–1972 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.