16/4/1919 Romania strikes against communist Hungary

Béla Kun‘s communist regime in Hungary is moving the country in a radical direction. Socialisation of factories has been decreed, together with land reform and redistribution of property. Conservative opinion has been shocked the introduction of sex education and baths for children, as well as by plans to turn the country’s churches into cinemas. Kun’s government brooks no opposition, with clampdowns on independent political activity and rigid censorship for the media. The communists form a paramilitary militia under József Cserny to enforce revolutionary discipline; Cserny’s men become known as the Lenin Boys.

For now Kun appears to have the upper hand over the internal enemies of his regime. His hope is that a wave of revolution will spread communism across Europe. The formation of the Bavarian Soviet Republic is an encouraging sign, as indeed is the appearance of the Limerick Soviet in faraway Ireland. For now though Kun’s government…