The Workers' Militia () was a

paramilitary A paramilitary is an organization whose structure, tactics, training, subculture, and (often) function are similar to those of a professional military, but is not part of a country's official or legitimate armed forces. Paramilitary units carr ...

organization in the

Hungarian People's Republic The Hungarian People's Republic ( hu, Magyar Népköztársaság) was a one-party socialist state from 20 August 1949 to 23 October 1989. It was governed by the Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party, which was under the influence of the Soviet Uni ...

from 1957 to 1989.

History

Pre-1956

Similar worker-guard organizations existed before 1957 in various socialist countries, partly to the circumvent closing of the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

peace treaties (such as the

German Democratic Republic German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

's squads), in part to provide more actionable, non-regular "popular" groups than the armed forces (such as the of Czechoslovakia).

Formation

Following the quelled Hungarian Revolution of 1956, the Revolutionary Workers'-Peasants' Government ordered on February 18, 1957 the formation of the ''Workers' Militia''. It replaced the revolutionary regime's special police force ( or also known as , named after their Soviet-style quilted jackets). The slate-grey uniformed and armed Militia's aim was to defend the means of production. It was a voluntary service, but obviously offered some career advantages. Starting with 20,000 members, it gradually developed into a large armed force (60,000 strong in 1988), although they were never deployed. The first commander of the organization was Lajos Halas (1957–1962), followed by Árpád Papp (1962–1970), then lastly Sándor Borbély (1970–1989). On May 8, 1985, the Central Committee of the

MSZMP The Hungarian Socialist Workers' Party ( hu, Magyar Szocialista Munkáspárt, MSZMP) was the ruling Marxist–Leninist party of the Hungarian People's Republic between 1956 and 1989. It was organised from elements of the Hungarian Working Peop ...

relinquished its direct control of the body, and on June 15, a Council of Ministers took over the supervision and control of the Workers' Militia. The Workers' Militia retained it's paramilitary focus until the change of regime in Hungary, at the end of 1989.

Disbandment

On November 26, 1989, a

referendum A referendum (plural: referendums or less commonly referenda) is a direct vote by the electorate on a proposal, law, or political issue. This is in contrast to an issue being voted on by a representative. This may result in the adoption of a ...

was held with the question: "Should the Workers' Militia be disbanded?". The answer was an overwhelming Yes (94.9%), a result which confirmed the previously-adopted law (1989 XXXth).

Ranks

Staff position markings

Command position markings

References

1957 establishments in Hungary 1989 disestablishments in Hungary Communism in Hungary Paramilitary organisations based in Hungary Government paramilitary forces Hungarian People's Republic Hungarian Revolution of 1956 Law enforcement in communist states Military wings of communist parties {{Hungary-hist-stub