Draft:Slovak-Hungarian Soviet Revolts
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| Slovak-Hungarian Soviet Revolts | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Hungarian–Czechoslovak War | |||||||||
 | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
 Slovak Soviet Republic Hungarian Soviet Republic |
 Czechoslovakia Romania Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Antonín Janoušek | General Rudolf Viest | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| 80,000 | 20,000 | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||||
| Most revolutionary measures remained on paper due to short duration and dependence on Hungarian military support. | |||||||||
The Slovak-Hungarian Soviet Revolts refers to the short-lived existence of the Slovak Soviet Republic (Slovenská republika rád), proclaimed in Prešov on 16 June 1919 during the Hungarian–Czechoslovak War.[1][2]
It was the first attempt to establish a communist regime on Czechoslovak territory, directly inspired and supported by the Hungarian Soviet Republic of Béla Kun. The republic lasted less than a month, collapsing after the withdrawal of Hungarian Red Army units under pressure from Czechoslovak and Entente forces.
Background
[edit]After the collapse of Austria-Hungary in late 1918, the newly formed Czechoslovakia faced territorial disputes with Hungary. In March 1919, the Hungarian Soviet Republic was proclaimed in Budapest under the leadership of Béla Kun.[3] Its Red Army launched an offensive into Upper Hungary (today's Slovakia) in May 1919, defeating weak Czechoslovak forces and occupying large parts of eastern and southern Slovakia.[4]
Proclamation
[edit]
On 16 June 1919, with Hungarian support, the Slovak Soviet Republic was proclaimed in Prešov. Its government, the Revolutionary Executive Committee and the Revolutionary Government Council, was headed by Czech communist Antonín Janoušek.[2]
Janoušek's proclamation declared solidarity with Soviet Russia and the Hungarian Soviet Republic, presenting the Slovak Soviet Republic as part of a wider International Revolution.[2] Contemporary propaganda promised socialisation of industry and land, the creation of revolutionary courts, and the establishment of a Slovak Red Army and Red Guard.[4]
Course of events
[edit]Hungarian Red Army units secured major cities including Košice, Prešov, Banská Bystrica, and Nové Zámky.[2] Revolutionary decrees announced nationalisation of factories employing more than twenty workers, banks, and large estates. Plans were also drawn for collectivisation in agriculture and the abolition of traditional courts.[1]
However, the existence of the Slovak Soviet Republic was entirely dependent on Hungarian military presence and political support from Budapest. Czechoslovak Army, reorganised and reinforced, launched a counter-offensive in late June 1919. On 24 June, an armistice was signed under pressure from the Entente, forcing Hungarian troops to retreat behind a new demarcation line.[1] As the Red Army withdrew, the institutions of the Slovak Soviet Republic collapsed.
Atrocities
[edit]See also: Red Terror (Hungary)
During its brief existence, Red Guard detachments and Hungarian communist units committed acts of violence against civilians and prisoners of war. Contemporary reports describe killings in Lešť, Fintice-Záhradné, Kokava and other villages, carried out by paramilitary groups such as the so-called Lenin Boys.[4]
Collapse
[edit]By 30 June 1919, Hungarian troops had evacuated most of Slovakia, and on 7 July the Czechoslovak Army reoccupied Prešov and other towns, bringing the Slovak Soviet Republic to an end.[2] Antonín Janoušek and other leaders withdrew to Hungary, later facing imprisonment after the fall of the Hungarian Soviet Republic on 1 August 1919.[4]
Aftermath
[edit]Although short-lived, the Slovak Soviet Republic became an important symbol in later communist historiography in Czechoslovak Socialist Republic after 1948, often presented as a heroic attempt at proletarian revolution.[3] In reality, historians agree it was primarily a product of Hungarian foreign policy and expansion rather than a genuine Slovak revolutionary movement.[1]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d "Agitační letáky Slovenské republiky rad, 1919". Vojenský historický ústav Praha. 29 July 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Slovenská republika rad, první pokus o nastolení diktatury proletariátu". Moderní dějiny. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ^ a b "1919: Vzpomínky na Maďarskou a Slovenskou sovětskou republiku". Vojenský historický ústav Praha. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Maďaři přepadli Slovensko a nastolili diktaturu proletariátu". Reflex. 16 June 2025. Retrieved 19 September 2025.