Romania and the Hungarian Revolution

In the Autumn of 1956, the influence of events in Hungary was also felt in Romania. The most visible were movements among students, but discontent with the regime was expressed at the level of all social categories, including the army. The leadership of the Romanian Workers’ Party remained united, though, and through a cunning policy of combining measures to improve the social and economic situation of the population with repressive measures, managed to keep things under control. When Nikita Khrushchev decided to intervene forcefully in order to end the Hungarian revolution, Romanian leaders supported this decision. Also, in accordance with the Soviet Union and the new Hungarian government led by Janos Kadar, Romania offered asylum for a time to Imre Nagy and to other members of the revolutionary government.