In the Hungarian Uprising, who declared Hungary neutral and withdrew from the Warsaw Pact?

• A. János Kádár
• B. Imre Nagy
• C. Miklós Horthy
• D. Ferenc Szálasi

Answer: (B)

During the 1956 Hungarian Uprising, the move to break away from Soviet control and seek a more independent course for Hungary culminated in a declaration of neutrality and withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact. That was Imre Nagy, who had become prime minister and hoped to realign Hungary with Western powers and restore a more independent constitutional government. This reflected a call for national sovereignty and reform outside of Moscow’s control. But the Soviet Union crushed the uprising and reinstalled a government loyal to Moscow under János Kádár. Nagy was eventually executed, and Hungary remained within the Warsaw Pact for the duration of the Cold War. The other figures were leaders from earlier eras and did not declare neutrality in 1956.