Liberty Across Borders

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, it seems pertinent to look back to the dawn of our nation and reflect on the founding ideals that have shaped our country for over two centuries. An essential part of this reflection is reexamining the document that catapulted our nation into existence: the Declaration of Independence. It’s hard to know if Thomas Jefferson realized the true weight of his words as he penned the “self-evident truths” of justice and freedom upon which modern democracy is built, for the Declaration became much more than the colonists simply stating their grievances against the oppressive British Crown. Rather, the document became a renowned assertion of inalienable human rights and promoted a democratic form of government that placed the power in the hands of the people. These ideals fueled the American Revolution and became a testament to the possibility of successful revolt, which promoted the freedom of citizens.  

Since 1776, the Declaration has inspired countless champions of freedom and served as a pivotal stepping stone for independence movements worldwide. Beyond colonialism, the Declaration has since been used in revolutions of all kinds, serving as a powerful stand against authoritarianism of any kind. This was the case for many Eastern European countries under the control of the Soviet Union following World War II. Despite Communism priding itself on “freeing people from their chains,” the strict state control placed citizens under more restrictions than ever before. Living under this tyrannical control, many looked to the Declaration of Independence as a beacon of hope for freedom. One specific example of this phenomenon can be observed in Hungary’s fight for independence from Soviet rule. The complicated history of their resistance movement exemplifies the struggles and triumphs of the fight for freedom, with the ideals of justice and government outlined by the Declaration of Independence fueling the fire of Hungarian revolution.  

To truly understand the significance of Hungarian independence, it is essential to understand the conditions under Soviet Union occupation. Following World War II, Hungary fell under Communist leadership, and the Hungarian Constitution was altered in 1949 to mirror the Soviet Union’s own Constitution, giving all the real power to the Hungarian Workers’ Party without the support of the people. As the first secretary in power, Matyas Rakosi set the precedent of harsh state control by limiting personal freedoms of the people and abruptly instituting Communist economic policies such as the privatization of property. Hungary became an outlet for Soviet production, without much concern for the sustainability of its natural resources or what would be most beneficial for its own consumers. Furthermore, the communist leaders targeted and limited opposition by sending dissenters to internment camps or simply executing them with little to no explanation. Hungarians were living under oppressive rule which they did not consent to, much like the colonists under the British crown.  

Despite these harsh realities that upended the lives of many Hungarian citizens, there seemed to be a beacon of hope when Imre Nagy replaced Rakosi as Prime Minister in 1953. Nagy promised to bring reform to the country, and he became widely popular with the people, igniting the spark of possible Hungarian freedom. Although he was removed from office quickly, Nagy set the wheels of revolt in motion, and thus the 1956 Hungarian Revolution was born. On October 23, 1956, student protesters in Budapest processed down the streets in a demonstration demanding reforms be made. At the end of their march, they hand-delivered a list of the country’s grievances, mirroring the grievances listed in America’s own Declaration of Independence two centuries prior. Protesters pulled from the democratic ideals outlined in the American document, citing that the Soviet rule was not derived from the consent of the people, giving their revolt justification. Revolutionaries were successful for two weeks before Soviet troops rolled in and violently squashed the rebellion, even publicly executing Nagy for his role in the independence movement.  

But the flames of revolution were never fully extinguished, and just thirty years later, the communist regime would go up in flames. In 1988, Miklos Nemeth became Prime Minister and sought to institute some political and economic changes to transition Hungary out of Soviet control. Part of Nemeth’s initiative was a symbolic reburying of Imre Nagy and other influential figures of the 1956 Revolution. Hundreds of thousands of Hungarians showed their support for the movement by attending the ceremony, proving the ideas of self-government and independence were alive and powerful. Over the next two years, Nemeth peacefully transitioned Hungary into a democratic republic with free elections and protection of civil liberties. After living under oppression for decades, Hungary exemplified the Jeffersonian ideal that governments should reflect the will of the people.  

Despite the wildly different circumstances, Hungary’s fight for independence mirrors colonial America’s fight for freedom by resting upon the same principles. The American Revolution exemplified the possibility of freedom from oppressive regimes by asserting that the power of government truly rests with the people. By promoting ideals such as liberty and self-government, the Declaration of Independence set the stage for other nations to fight for their freedom, including Hungary. Despite a failed revolution that resulted in so much pain and suffering for the Hungarian people, they continued to resist communist control until they broke free from the chains of their tyranny. In this way, Hungary’s path to independence emphasizes the Declaration of Independence’s role as a champion of freedom and an inspiration for independence across the globe.  

Rosalyn Mulligan from the University of Pittsburgh authored this article as part of VOC’s Student Essay Contest.