Béla Kun

Béla Kun (Kohn Béla) was commissar for foreign affairs and the effective head of state in the Hungarian Soviet Republic.


History

Kun served as a soldier for Austro-Hungary in World War 1.

He was radicalized as a prisoner of war in Russia, met Lenin, and fought in the October Revolution for the Bolsheviks. He returned to Hungary and established the KMP. His party was banned, and he was imprisoned, by the Károlyi government.


Policies

The KMP seized power in March 1919 and established the Hungarian Soviet Republic. Sándor Garbai was named prime minister, but as a direct subordinate of Lenin, Kun was the de facto head of state.

Romanian invaded and, by August, captured Budapest.


Legacy

He fled to Russia after the Romanian takeover, and served in various international USSR capacities.

He was eventually accused of Trotskyism, arrested, and executed.


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Hungary/BelaKun (last edited 2024-07-04 02:00:38 by DominicRicottone)