Rákosi, Mátyás (Hungary)

Introduction

Mátyás Rákosi was leader of the Hungarian Communists between 1945 and 1956, serving two terms as prime minister (1952–53, 1955–56). A staunch Stalinist, his reign relied on inducing terror and systematically plotting against his ideological enemies. His policies of forced agricultural collectivization and industrialization made little concession to the practical needs of the country and proved economically disastrous. Following the death of Stalin his support within Moscow dwindled and he was ultimately removed from power as a conciliatory gesture by the Soviet Union towards Yugoslavia’s General Tito, with whom he had had a number of disputes.

Early Life

Rákosi (whose surname at birth was Rosenkrantz) was born on 14 March 1892 in Ada, Serbia into a well-to-do Jewish family. The family moved to Hungary when Rákosi was still young and he proved a notable student while being schooled in Budapest, learning 8 languages. Politically, he leaned towards a Social Democratic...