Communist Terror in 1956 and the Rule of Law
Communist Terror in 1956 and the Rule of Law

Summary/Abstract: The Hungarian Revolution of October 1956 sought to put an end to the Soviet occupation of Hungary; to restore national independence; to create a parliamentary democracy in place of the Communist dictatorship; and to fully guarantee human and civil political rights. The significance of the Revolution and its resistance to a Bolshevist system was felt beyond Hungary’s borders; indeed, it was a signal event in global history. In November 1956, the émigré Hungarian novelist Sándor Márai wrote: “Although abandoned, betrayed and crushed, the Hungarian revolution inflicted the first unhealing wound on Bolshevism, warning West European intellectuals that Bolshevism, far from being the earthly paradise of humanity, is only a historical cul-de-sac.” A year later, Albert Camus declared in Le Sang des Hongrois: “La Hongrie vaincue et enchaînée a plus fait pour la liberté et la justice qu’aucun peuple depuis vingt ans…” (“Hungary conquered and in chains has done more for freedom and justice than any people for twenty years…”).

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