The Hungarian Uprising (1956)
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.
- During the Hungarian Uprising, the Hungarians begged for support from the West but the USA and NATO refused to help.
- The defeat of the Hungarian Uprising strengthened the USSR and Khrushchev and led to a worsening of US-Soviet relations.
Keywords
Satellite state - a country that is dominated by another country
Uprising - an act of resistance or rebellion
Reform - a change introduced to improve something, often a system or law
Warsaw Pact - a military alliance of Eastern European countries led by the Soviet Union during the Cold War; it was formed in 1955 in response to NATO
Containment - using American influence and military resources to prevent the spread of communism into non-communist countries
Common misconception
Matyas Rakosi was the leader of Hungary at the start of the Hungarian Uprising.
Rakosi was forced to quit as leader in July 1956 when he lost the support of the USSR. Rakosi was replaced by his close friend, Erno Gero, then Khrushchev installed Imre Nagy as leader on 26th October 1956 in an attempt to end the uprising.
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 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.Which keyword describes a country that has great power and influence globally?
Q2.Which keyword describes a meeting between leaders to discuss significant issues or make important decisions?
Q3.Complete the sentence: The American development of the bomb started an arms race between the USA and the USSR.
Q4.Which of the following events led to the creation of NATO in 1949?
Q5.Who were the new leaders of the USA and USSR in 1953?
Q6.Put the following events in chronological order.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which keyword describes a change introduced to improve something, often a system or law?
Q2.Which keyword describes using American influence and military resources to prevent 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: The Hungarian Uprising (1956), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 11 history lesson on: The Hungarian Uprising (1956), 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 Period study: Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941–91 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.