Refugee writing a letter, Esztergom, 1916

THE HUNGARIAN PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC emerged in 1949 after the Hungarian Workers’ Party eliminated its rivals and assumed control of the state. Soviet control of Eastern Europe after World War II had enabled a minuscule communist party lacking popular support to gain power in the country and gradually eliminate its political rivals. Under Matyas Rakosi, the party consolidated its control and radically transformed the country economically, socially, and politically.

In the mid-1950s, after the Soviet Union had somewhat relaxed its control of Eastern Europe,  »» More