“Opening Up the Flood Gates:” A Review of the International Response to the Hungarian Refugee Crisis 1956-57.

Authors

• Jacob N. Anderson, Harding UniversityFollow

Publication Date

Spring 2026

Subject Area

Section 5: Migration Station

Abstract

Following the suppressed Hungarian Revolution in 1956, there was a massive emigration from Hungary to surrounding European nations and the United States to escape oppression under the new Soviet regime. As a result, many of those nations faced large humanitarian debates about accepting refugees from Soviet tyranny and were forced to alter their refugee and immigration policy. Some of these alterations appear to be sincere and reflect popular sentiment, but some appear to be simply a false act of solidarity amidst the international stage, reflecting very conservative ethnic and religious reservations.

About the Author

Jacob graduated from Harding University with bachelor’s degrees in political science and history. He is currently employed at Harding and working toward a master’s degree in history.