In Hungary, as in other countries of the Eastern Bloc, a totalitarian Stalinist regime was established in the late 1940s under decisive Soviet influence. The change away from such a regime began earlier in Hungary than in other Eastern Bloc states. By 1953, hardliners and moderates within the Communist elite were already clashing irreconcilably. This inner battle between opposing wings of the party also created opportunities for the articulation of critical or otherwise nonconformist political movements by actors outside of the Party leadership.