In 1956, Moscow agreed to withdraw its troops from Budapest. One week later, it launched a 60,000-soldier operation to crush Hungary’s revolution.

In October 1956, tens of thousands of Budapest residents marched in the streets demanding political reforms, free elections, and the withdrawal of Soviet troops. Peaceful protests rapidly turned into armed rebellion. Soon, Hungary was on the brink of leaving the Soviet bloc. Soviet leaders first agreed to make concessions and pull their troops from Budapest, but later changed their minds.

On November 4, 1956, the Soviet army launched a massive military operation to put down the uprising. Thousands perished, and around 200,000 Hungarians fled the nation. Western nations condemned Moscow's actions but did not intervene. The uprising in Hungary was driven by a desire for political change and a response to the Soviet Union's increasing control over Eastern Europe.

Meanwhile, the world in fall 1956 was marked by the ongoing Cold War, with the United States and the Soviet Union vying for influence. Both powers had nuclear weapons, and a direct confrontation between them was deemed too dangerous. The superpowers were seeking to avoid conflict, and despite the continued rivalry, there were efforts to reduce tensions.