The Hungarian Autonomous Region 1952-1960: A Cold War Flashpoint

The Hungarian Autonomous Region (HAR) was a short-lived political entity established in Romania in 1952. It was intended as a concession to the Hungarian population in Romania, but it was abolished by the Romanian government in 1960. The HAR was a source of tension between Romania and Hungary, and it played a role in the Cold War conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union.

Stalin's Legacy in Romania: The Hungarian Autonomous Region, 1952–1960 (The Harvard Cold War Studies Book)

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Background

The HAR was created in the context of the Cold War. After World War II, Romania became a satellite state of the Soviet Union. The Romanian government was dominated by the Communist Party, which was loyal to the Soviet Union. The Hungarian population in Romania was concentrated in the Transylvania region, which had been part of Hungary before World War I. The Hungarian population in Transylvania was unhappy with the Romanian government, and there were frequent protests and demonstrations.

In 1952, the Romanian government agreed to create the HAR in an attempt to quell the unrest in Transylvania. The HAR was to be an autonomous region within Romania, with its own government and parliament. The HAR was to be responsible for education, culture, and other local matters.

Establishment of the HAR

The HAR was established on September 6, 1952. The region consisted of three counties in Transylvania: Mures, Harghita, and Covasna. The HAR had a population of about 750,000 people, of which about 60% were Hungarians. The capital of the HAR was Targu Mures.

The HAR was governed by a Regional People's Council, which was elected by the people of the region. The Regional People's Council was responsible for the day-to-day administration of the region. The HAR also had its own parliament, which was responsible for passing laws and regulations.

The HAR and the Cold War

The HAR was a source of tension between Romania and Hungary. The Hungarian government claimed that the HAR was not autonomous enough, and that the Romanian government was discriminating against the Hungarian population in the region. The Romanian government denied these claims, and accused Hungary of trying to destabilize Romania.

The HAR became a flashpoint in the Cold War conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. The United States supported the Hungarian government's claims, and it accused the Romanian government of violating the human rights of the Hungarian population in Transylvania. The Soviet Union supported the Romanian government, and it accused the United States of trying to interfere in Romania's internal affairs.

Abolition of the HAR

The HAR was abolished by the Romanian government in 1960. The Romanian government claimed that the HAR had not achieved its goals, and that it was a source of tension between Romania and Hungary. The Hungarian government condemned the abolition of the HAR, and it accused the Romanian government of violating the rights of the Hungarian population in Transylvania.

Legacy of the HAR

The HAR was a short-lived political entity, but it had a significant impact on Romanian-Hungarian relations. The HAR remains a source of tension between the two countries, and it is a reminder of the Cold War conflict that divided Europe.

The HAR also had a lasting impact on the Hungarian population in Romania. The Hungarian population in Transylvania continues to face discrimination, and it is often denied its basic rights. The HAR is a symbol of the struggle of the Hungarian population in Romania for self-determination.

Stalin's Legacy in Romania: The Hungarian Autonomous Region, 1952–1960 (The Harvard Cold War Studies Book)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	19340 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	423 pages

FREE