Descrittore
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Ungheria 1939 (1 settembre) - 1944 (18 marzo) CercaDefinizione
Hungary remains neutral after Germany's attack on Poland (September 1, 1939). With the Soviet Union occupying Bessarabia in June 1940, Hungary forces Germany to cede the land to Transylvania under the "Second Vienna Award" (August 30). In November, Hungary signs the Tripartite Pact. When Germany attacks the Soviet Union (June 22, 1941), Hungary declares war on the USSR and sends forces to assist the Axis powers. In December 1941, Britain declares war on Hungary, which then declares war on the United States. In 1943 and early 1944, Hungary holds secret talks with the Western Allies about withdrawing from the war. German occupation of Hungary, which begins with Operation Margaret (March 19, 1944), negates these negotiations.
Hungary's Jews are placed in forced labor units beginning in May 1940. These units are sent with Hungarian troops when they head to the Soviet Union. Tens of thousands die when Hungary eventually retreats (January 1943). Upon its incorporation of northern Transylvania (August 30, 1940), Hungary expels thousands of Jews. By 1941, anti-Jewish laws strictly circumscribe the lives of over 800,000 Jews living in Hungarian territory. Beginning in July 1941, Hungarian Jews are sent to German concentration camps. Jews in Hungary begin wearing yellow badges in October 1942. Although Jews are eliminated from Hungarian public and cultural life by 1943, the Hungarians resist German demands for total participation in the "final solution." (en-US)
Fonte
Encyclopaedia Britannica: a dictionary of arts, sciences, and general literature. Chicago: Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1995. Vol. 20, p. 710