Letters from Tomis

My Socialist Hall of Fame

During this chaotic era of vile rhetoric and manipulative tactics from our so-called bourgeois leaders, I am invigorated by the opportunity to reflect on Socialists, Revolutionaries, Philosophers, Guerrilla Leaders, Partisans, and Critical Theory titans, champions, and martyrs who paved the way for us—my own audacious “Socialism’s Hall of Fame.” These are my heroes and fore-bearers. Not all are perfect, or even fully admirable, but all contributed in some way to our future–either as icons to emulate, or as warnings to avoid in the future.

Imre Nagy (1896–1958) was a Hungarian communist politician and key figure of the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Born into a peasant family in Kaposvár, Hungary, Nagy began his political life as a socialist, joining the Social Democratic Party in his youth and later fighting as a soldier during World War I. Captured by Russian forces, Nagy embraced communism during his captivity, subsequently joining the Russian Communist Party in 1918.

Upon returning to Hungary, Nagy became actively involved in communist politics, quickly rising through party ranks. He spent substantial time in the Soviet Union during the interwar years, becoming intimately familiar with the workings of Soviet agriculture policy and administration.

Following World War II, Nagy held several prominent positions in the newly established Hungarian communist government. In 1953, following the death of Stalin, Nagy became Prime Minister, advocating for economic reforms and political liberalization. His policies sought to relax Stalinist-style repression, introduce more humane policies, and improve living standards through agricultural reforms.

His reforms met resistance within the party, leading to his removal from office in 1955. However, widespread dissatisfaction with oppressive Soviet rule propelled Nagy back into prominence during the Hungarian Revolution of October 1956. Reinstated as Prime Minister during the revolutionary turmoil, Nagy announced Hungary’s withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact and declared Hungarian neutrality, efforts aimed at establishing national sovereignty and political freedom.

The revolution was brutally suppressed by Soviet forces in early November 1956. Nagy sought asylum in the Yugoslav embassy but was subsequently arrested by Soviet authorities. Following a secret trial, Nagy was executed on charges of treason in 1958.

Imre Nagy remains a symbol of resistance against Soviet domination, honored for his commitment to reform and national independence. In 1989, Nagy was rehabilitated and given a proper public reburial in Hungary, becoming a powerful symbol of the end of communist rule in Eastern Europe.

Bibliography:

• Gati, Charles. “Failed Illusions: Moscow, Washington, Budapest, and the 1956 Hungarian Revolt.” Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2006.

• Granville, Johanna. “Imre Nagy: A Biography.” New York: I.B. Tauris, 2005.

• Litván, György. “Imre Nagy: Reformer or Revolutionary?.” Budapest: Central European University Press, 2007.

• Sebestyen, Victor. “Twelve Days: The Story of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution.” New York: Vintage Books, 2007.

• Swain, Geoffrey, and Nigel Swain. “Eastern Europe since 1945.” London: Palgrave Macmillan, 2009.