12. The Soviet Invasion of Hungary (1956)
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 began on October 23, when university students and workers in Budapest protested against Soviet-imposed policies and called for political reforms. The movement quickly gained momentum, leading to the formation of a new government under Imre Nagy, who declared Hungary’s neutrality and withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact. In response, the Soviet Union launched a military intervention on November 4, deploying tanks and troops to suppress the uprising. The ensuing conflict resulted in approximately 2,500 Hungarian deaths and thousands more wounded. The Soviet forces reasserted control, leading to the execution of Nagy and the installation of a pro-Soviet government. This intervention reinforced Soviet dominance in Eastern Europe and highlighted the limits of de-Stalinization (history.com).
