Johanna Granville
@johannagranville.bsky.social
Diplomatic and social historian of the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Author of The First Domino (2004) and The Hungarian Revolution of 1956 (Oxford, 2026). Former Hoover Institution fellow, Stanford University. https://academic.oup.com/book/63217
Pinned
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc
Abstract. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc tracks the international impact of the uprising across East Germany, Austria, Romani
academic.oup.com
October 23 marks 70 years since the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 and Soviet intervention. My book traces its tremors in East Germany, Austria, Romania, Soviet Ukraine, and Soviet Russia.
Kirkus Reviews: “An extremely well-researched volume.”
academic.oup.com/book/63217
#SkyHistory #SovietHistory
Kirkus Reviews: “An extremely well-researched volume.”
academic.oup.com/book/63217
#SkyHistory #SovietHistory
Congratulations, Eoin! 👍
October 24, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Congratulations, Eoin! 👍
Herzlichen Dank! Ihren Vortrag schaue ich mir gern an, und Ihre Seite zu 1956 ist eine wahre Fundgrube.👍
October 23, 2026 at 8:06 PM
Herzlichen Dank! Ihren Vortrag schaue ich mir gern an, und Ihre Seite zu 1956 ist eine wahre Fundgrube.👍
Index, one of Hungary’s largest online newspapers, draws on my article “1956 Reconsidered: Why Hungary and Not Poland?”
index.hu/belfold/2026...
My new book turns to East Germany, Austria, Romania, Soviet Ukraine, Moscow, and the Urals: academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #history #Poland
index.hu/belfold/2026...
My new book turns to East Germany, Austria, Romania, Soviet Ukraine, Moscow, and the Urals: academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #history #Poland
1956-ban egyszerre lázadt lengyel és magyar, de teljesen más lett a vége
Budapestet nem lehet Varsó nélkül megérteni, Varsót pedig Poznań nélkül.
index.hu
October 23, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Index, one of Hungary’s largest online newspapers, draws on my article “1956 Reconsidered: Why Hungary and Not Poland?”
index.hu/belfold/2026...
My new book turns to East Germany, Austria, Romania, Soviet Ukraine, Moscow, and the Urals: academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #history #Poland
index.hu/belfold/2026...
My new book turns to East Germany, Austria, Romania, Soviet Ukraine, Moscow, and the Urals: academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #history #Poland
Vielen Dank, @ilkokowalczuk.bsky.social. In meinem Kapitel über die DDR habe ich Ihre Forschung zitiert, zum Beispiel die 200 Kampfgruppenleute, die am 31. Oktober 1956 mit Gummiknüppeln vor der Berliner Medizinischen Fakultät warteten.
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
October 23, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Vielen Dank, @ilkokowalczuk.bsky.social. In meinem Kapitel über die DDR habe ich Ihre Forschung zitiert, zum Beispiel die 200 Kampfgruppenleute, die am 31. Oktober 1956 mit Gummiknüppeln vor der Berliner Medizinischen Fakultät warteten.
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
The Hungarian union of railway workers recalls how railwaymen in 1956 struck, formed workers’ councils, and blocked trains carrying Soviet troops. Their article cites my research on Soviet orders to guard the stations.
www.vdszsz.hu/9719-vasutas...
My book: academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
www.vdszsz.hu/9719-vasutas...
My book: academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
Vasutasok az 1956-os forradalomban
1956 őszén a vasutasok nemcsak a forgalmat tartották mozgásban: sztrájkoltak, munkástanácsot alakítottak, Záhonynál a források szerint lezárták a szovjet csapatvonatok útját, és sokan megfizették...
www.vdszsz.hu
October 23, 2026 at 6:31 PM
The Hungarian union of railway workers recalls how railwaymen in 1956 struck, formed workers’ councils, and blocked trains carrying Soviet troops. Their article cites my research on Soviet orders to guard the stations.
www.vdszsz.hu/9719-vasutas...
My book: academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
www.vdszsz.hu/9719-vasutas...
My book: academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
Thank you for sharing your mother’s story, Antonia. You’re right about the children. In my book, Júlia Szilágyi, age 8, spent 18 days sleeping on a mattress in the Yugoslav Embassy, and later watched soldiers take her father away. She never saw him again.
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
October 23, 2026 at 6:22 PM
Thank you for sharing your mother’s story, Antonia. You’re right about the children. In my book, Júlia Szilágyi, age 8, spent 18 days sleeping on a mattress in the Yugoslav Embassy, and later watched soldiers take her father away. She never saw him again.
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
In 1956, Hungary’s revolution sent uneven tremors through the Soviet bloc. East Germany, Romania, and Soviet Ukraine saw leaflets; Austria took in refugees. Deep inside the USSR, some protested, while others cheered the “restoration of order.”
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #history
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #history
October 23, 2026 at 6:16 PM
In 1956, Hungary’s revolution sent uneven tremors through the Soviet bloc. East Germany, Romania, and Soviet Ukraine saw leaflets; Austria took in refugees. Deep inside the USSR, some protested, while others cheered the “restoration of order.”
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #history
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #history
Thank you, Chris. The spark came from Szeged, where on October 16 students founded Hungary’s first student union free of party control. By October 24, an art student in Cluj, Romania, was telling 300 classmates about it at a secret meeting.
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #history
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #history
October 23, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Thank you, Chris. The spark came from Szeged, where on October 16 students founded Hungary’s first student union free of party control. By October 24, an art student in Cluj, Romania, was telling 300 classmates about it at a secret meeting.
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #history
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #history
Great photos, Jay. Stalin's statue stood where a church had been, the "Great Lady of the Hungarians," razed in 1951. Trucks strained in vain at steel cables around his neck. Then came student welders with blowpipes and the smell of burning metal.
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #history
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #history
October 23, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Great photos, Jay. Stalin's statue stood where a church had been, the "Great Lady of the Hungarians," razed in 1951. Trucks strained in vain at steel cables around his neck. Then came student welders with blowpipes and the smell of burning metal.
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #history
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #history
A fitting way to mark the day, Jeff. On November 23, 1956 alone, over 8,500 Hungarians crossed into Austria. In my book, a farmer in Rechnitz drove three teenagers to safety on his tractor, going 15 km. Trousers froze stiff as they waded an icy stream.
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
October 23, 2026 at 5:37 PM
A fitting way to mark the day, Jeff. On November 23, 1956 alone, over 8,500 Hungarians crossed into Austria. In my book, a farmer in Rechnitz drove three teenagers to safety on his tractor, going 15 km. Trousers froze stiff as they waded an icy stream.
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
In the USSR, lectures linked Suez and Hungary as one Western plot. War veterans in Soviet Ukraine called November 4 a "second liberation" of "ungrateful" Hungarians. Many Soviet student in the capital cities volunteered to fight in Egypt. academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #SkyHistory
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc
Abstract. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc tracks the international impact of the uprising across East Germany, Austria, Romani
academic.oup.com
October 22, 2026 at 10:18 PM
In the USSR, lectures linked Suez and Hungary as one Western plot. War veterans in Soviet Ukraine called November 4 a "second liberation" of "ungrateful" Hungarians. Many Soviet student in the capital cities volunteered to fight in Egypt. academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #SkyHistory
Fascinating post! Fryer wasn’t alone. On Nov. 19, 1956, Anatolii Lanin, a communist physicist in a secret Soviet nuclear city, asked about Hungary: “Our enemies know everything. But we, the friends, know very little.” He too was expelled. #Hungary1956 #Skystorians academic.oup.com/book/63217
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc
Abstract. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc tracks the international impact of the uprising across East Germany, Austria, Romani
academic.oup.com
October 21, 2026 at 11:40 PM
Fascinating post! Fryer wasn’t alone. On Nov. 19, 1956, Anatolii Lanin, a communist physicist in a secret Soviet nuclear city, asked about Hungary: “Our enemies know everything. But we, the friends, know very little.” He too was expelled. #Hungary1956 #Skystorians academic.oup.com/book/63217
The tremors crossed borders. On October 30, 1956, over 2,000 students in Timișoara, Romania, packed a dining hall demanding that Soviet troops leave: “What are the Russians doing with our uranium and oil?” 3 organizers got 8 years. #Hungary1956 #Skystorians doi.org/10.1093/9780191853470.001.0001
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc
Abstract. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc tracks the international impact of the uprising across East Germany, Austria, Romani
doi.org
October 21, 2026 at 11:12 PM
The tremors crossed borders. On October 30, 1956, over 2,000 students in Timișoara, Romania, packed a dining hall demanding that Soviet troops leave: “What are the Russians doing with our uranium and oil?” 3 organizers got 8 years. #Hungary1956 #Skystorians doi.org/10.1093/9780191853470.001.0001
Weapons claims turned absurd. At the UN on November 21, 1956, Russians accused Austria of arming the rebels with “Gasser” pistols. Chancellor Raab replied that Gasser had stopped making arms in 1917 and now made sewing machines. Secret weapons? #Hungary1956 #Skystorians academic.oup.com/book/63217
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc
Abstract. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc tracks the international impact of the uprising across East Germany, Austria, Romani
academic.oup.com
October 21, 2026 at 8:31 PM
Weapons claims turned absurd. At the UN on November 21, 1956, Russians accused Austria of arming the rebels with “Gasser” pistols. Chancellor Raab replied that Gasser had stopped making arms in 1917 and now made sewing machines. Secret weapons? #Hungary1956 #Skystorians academic.oup.com/book/63217
Yes. By September 1957, 24,244 Hungarian refugees had left Austria for Canada. The Russians kept count; a 1957 Soviet embassy report found: 83 percent of those who fled to Austria moved on. Hamilton’s families are part of that story. #HamOnt #Hungary1956 #Skystorians academic.oup.com/book/63217
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc
Abstract. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc tracks the international impact of the uprising across East Germany, Austria, Romani
academic.oup.com
October 21, 2026 at 8:19 PM
Yes. By September 1957, 24,244 Hungarian refugees had left Austria for Canada. The Russians kept count; a 1957 Soviet embassy report found: 83 percent of those who fled to Austria moved on. Hamilton’s families are part of that story. #HamOnt #Hungary1956 #Skystorians academic.oup.com/book/63217
Dicsőség! Sympathy for Hungary reached the East too. In the files of the secret police in East Germany, Romania, Soviet Ukraine, Moscow, Leningrad, and in closed nuclear cities in Urals region, I found people making bold remarks or leaflets, at great risk. doi.org/10.1093/9780... #Hungary1956
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc
Abstract. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc tracks the international impact of the uprising across East Germany, Austria, Romani
doi.org
October 21, 2026 at 2:51 PM
Dicsőség! Sympathy for Hungary reached the East too. In the files of the secret police in East Germany, Romania, Soviet Ukraine, Moscow, Leningrad, and in closed nuclear cities in Urals region, I found people making bold remarks or leaflets, at great risk. doi.org/10.1093/9780... #Hungary1956
Interesting! Another song sung in 1956: on November 5, Willy Brandt calmed an angry German crowd at the Brandenburg Gate, protesting the Soviet intervention in Hungary, by leading them in “Der gute Kamerad.” Germans, he noted wryly, are fond of singing. academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc
Abstract. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc tracks the international impact of the uprising across East Germany, Austria, Romani
academic.oup.com
October 21, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Interesting! Another song sung in 1956: on November 5, Willy Brandt calmed an angry German crowd at the Brandenburg Gate, protesting the Soviet intervention in Hungary, by leading them in “Der gute Kamerad.” Germans, he noted wryly, are fond of singing. academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
Most crossed first into Austria. I argued that the refugees at the bridge at Andau moved Austrian villagers in Burgenland perhaps even more than Stalin’s death had: they revived memories of Soviet occupation, which had ended only a year earlier. doi.org/10.1093/9780... #Hungary1956 #Skystorians
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc
Abstract. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc tracks the international impact of the uprising across East Germany, Austria, Romani
doi.org
October 21, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Most crossed first into Austria. I argued that the refugees at the bridge at Andau moved Austrian villagers in Burgenland perhaps even more than Stalin’s death had: they revived memories of Soviet occupation, which had ended only a year earlier. doi.org/10.1093/9780... #Hungary1956 #Skystorians
This Friday Hungary marks 70 years since 1956. My new book follows its tremors into East Germany, Austria, Romania, Soviet Ukraine and Russia, through the archives of the secret police and the party. Tremors in the Soviet Bloc (OUP): academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
October 21, 2026 at 2:20 PM
This Friday Hungary marks 70 years since 1956. My new book follows its tremors into East Germany, Austria, Romania, Soviet Ukraine and Russia, through the archives of the secret police and the party. Tremors in the Soviet Bloc (OUP): academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956
Seventy years on, remember how far the shock traveled. In the files of the secret police, I found students from East Berlin to the Urals writing leaflets for Hungary, while others applauded the “restoration of order.” academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #Skystorians
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc
Abstract. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc tracks the international impact of the uprising across East Germany, Austria, Romani
academic.oup.com
October 21, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Seventy years on, remember how far the shock traveled. In the files of the secret police, I found students from East Berlin to the Urals writing leaflets for Hungary, while others applauded the “restoration of order.” academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #Skystorians
That head topped a monument built in 1951 where the Regnum Marianum church stood. Consecrated in 1931, the church honored Hungary’s liberation from Béla Kun’s 1919 regime. On Oct 23, 1956, welders cut Stalin off at the knees. More: academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #Skystorians
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc
Abstract. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc tracks the international impact of the uprising across East Germany, Austria, Romani
academic.oup.com
October 17, 2026 at 3:11 PM
That head topped a monument built in 1951 where the Regnum Marianum church stood. Consecrated in 1931, the church honored Hungary’s liberation from Béla Kun’s 1919 regime. On Oct 23, 1956, welders cut Stalin off at the knees. More: academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #Skystorians
Yes. Doubt reached Soviet communists too. In a closed nuclear city, Ozyorsk, Urals region, physicist Anatolii Lanin asked why the Hungarian workers' demands were hidden: "Our enemies know everything. But we, the friends, know very little." More: academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #Skystorians
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc
Abstract. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc tracks the international impact of the uprising across East Germany, Austria, Romani
academic.oup.com
October 17, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Yes. Doubt reached Soviet communists too. In a closed nuclear city, Ozyorsk, Urals region, physicist Anatolii Lanin asked why the Hungarian workers' demands were hidden: "Our enemies know everything. But we, the friends, know very little." More: academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #Skystorians
What a journey! Most Hungarian refugees crossed first into Austria, which granted asylum on Oct 28, 1956, while Imre Nagy was still prime minister. Among the first to flee were ÁVH secret police agents, escaping lynch mobs. More in my book: academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #Skystorians
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc
Abstract. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc tracks the international impact of the uprising across East Germany, Austria, Romani
academic.oup.com
October 17, 2026 at 3:03 PM
What a journey! Most Hungarian refugees crossed first into Austria, which granted asylum on Oct 28, 1956, while Imre Nagy was still prime minister. Among the first to flee were ÁVH secret police agents, escaping lynch mobs. More in my book: academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #Skystorians
A wonderful project. Exile ran both ways in 1956. Hungarian students in Moscow feared they could not go home. László Szamuely recalled: "we were citizens of a country that was at war with the Soviet Union." More in my book: academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #Skystorians
October 17, 2026 at 2:58 PM
A wonderful project. Exile ran both ways in 1956. Hungarian students in Moscow feared they could not go home. László Szamuely recalled: "we were citizens of a country that was at war with the Soviet Union." More in my book: academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #Skystorians
Interesting point. 1956 sharpened that view where Soviet troops were visible: the slogan “Russians go home” rang loudest in Eastern Europe (e.g. Timișoara). In the Soviet core, many students still spoke of “our tanks.” I compare both in my book: academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #Skystorians
The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc
Abstract. The Hungarian Revolution of 1956: Tremors in the Soviet Bloc tracks the international impact of the uprising across East Germany, Austria, Romani
academic.oup.com
October 17, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Interesting point. 1956 sharpened that view where Soviet troops were visible: the slogan “Russians go home” rang loudest in Eastern Europe (e.g. Timișoara). In the Soviet core, many students still spoke of “our tanks.” I compare both in my book: academic.oup.com/book/63217 #Hungary1956 #Skystorians