[BLANK-1] was a reformist communist leader of Hungary from 1…
was a reformist communist leader of Hungary from 1953-1955 who admitted non-communists into his administration, implemented democratic reforms, aimed to gain autonomy from the Soviets, and withdrew Hungary from the Warsaw Pact. His reforms were too radical for the Soviet Union’s liking, however, and the country coerced the Hungarian Communist Party to remove him from office. In October and November of 1956, he returned to power during the Hungarian Revolution, with the help of students who wished to distance the country from Soviet control. He led Hungary during the revolution and ruled for eleven days. On November 4, 1956, 2,000 Soviet tanks and 150,000 troops under the auspices of the Warsaw Pact descended on Budapest, crushed the rebellion, and rounded up and executed this Hungarian leader. During the Hungarian Revolution thousands were killed (mostly young students) and more than 200,000 were exiled.