Key topic 1: The origins of the Cold War, 1941–58 - 3 The Cold War…

The idea

The brutal Soviet suppression of the Hungarian Uprising in 1956 provoked widespread international condemnation but little practical intervention. The United Nations passed resolutions demanding the withdrawal of Soviet troops and held inquiries, but lacked the power to enforce them. The USA, despite its rhetoric of 'rolling back' communism, refused to intervene militarily, fearing a direct confrontation with the USSR that could escalate into a nuclear war. Furthermore, Western powers were distracted by the concurrent Suez Crisis in the Middle East. This lack of action clearly demonstrated to Eastern Bloc nations that the West would not risk war to save them, effectively cementing Soviet dominance over its satellite states.

What earns the marks

• Describe the verbal condemnation of the Soviet invasion by Western nations and the United Nations.
• Explain the limitations of the UN's response, noting its inability to enforce resolutions against the USSR.
• Analyse the reasons for US inaction, primarily the fear of triggering a nuclear conflict with the Soviet Union.
• Evaluate the impact of the West's inaction, showing how it confirmed Soviet control over Eastern Europe.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Claiming the USA sent troops to help the Hungarian rebels.

  Put it right: The USA offered financial aid and accepted refugees, but strictly avoided sending military forces.

• Stating the UN did absolutely nothing.

  Put it right: The UN did pass resolutions condemning the USSR and held an inquiry, but it was powerless to enforce military withdrawal.

• Ignoring the context of the Suez Crisis.

  Put it right: Mention that Britain and France were distracted by the Suez Crisis, which weakened the unified Western response.

Exam tips

• When explaining the importance of the international reaction, focus on how it exposed the limitations of the US policy of 'rollback'.
• Link the lack of Western military intervention directly to the existence of nuclear weapons and the fear of mutually assured destruction.
• Use the international reaction to explain why Soviet control over Eastern Europe remained unchallenged for decades afterwards.