October 23,
1956 was the start of the Hungarian revolution against the puppet state set up by the Soviets. This event followed smaller revolts in East Germany in 1953 and 1956,
as well as Khrushchev's famous "secret speech" revealing Stalin's abominable reign as Soviet tyrant. Up to that point Comrade Stalin had been thought of as stern but kind Uncle Joe, thanks to years of Soviet propaganda, swallowed wholeheartedly by the captives of his empire and free people alike. Rumors emerged that some of Khrushchev's audience at the 20th Congress went home and had heart attacks or committed suicide, such was the shock of the small peek at the truth K allowed.
This is the time when many communists left the party in Great Britain, US, Italy and France, for example, not being able to stomach the Russian medicine for Hungarian disobedience.
When the Russian tanks and soldiers entered Budapest on Nov. 4, 1956 to reconquer the country as a subservient state, all pretense of the fraternity of socialist states was shattered to all who chose not to delude themselves any longer.