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By Alyssa A. and Kendall E.
What was the Tito-Stalin Split?
The Tito-Stalin Split in Yugoslavia was one of the first challenges to the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
- After World War II, Yugoslavia had developed a communist regime without the help of the Soviet Union.
- This enabled their leader, Marshal Tito, to rule Yugoslavia with an iron fist from 1945 to 1980, and declare its independence.
- His resistance to Soviet Control caused Stalin to expel Yugoslavia from the Soviet bloc.
- Tito continued to maintain good relations with eastern European states and non-aligned countries.
Picture (right): Josip Broz Tito, better known as Marshal Tito.
What was the Hungarian Challenge?
The Hungarian Challenge was the biggest and most serious challenge to the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
- Following the process of de-Stalinization, many Hungarian citizens began to demand a more democratic government and system.
- In response to their protests, communist leaders Imre Nagy and János Kádár formed a coalition government and announced its neutrality.
- As a result, Hungary withdrew from the Warsaw Pact in 1956.
- Soviet leaders viewed this as a serious threat to Soviet control and sent tanks to Budapest, crushing the uprising.
- Kádár was forced to continue rule according to strict pro-Soviet policies and Nagy was executed along with many others who had challenged Soviet rule.
Picture (left): Hungarian rebel fighters in Budapest.