The Situation of Migrant Roma Groups in State Socialist Hungary in the 1950s

Absztrakt

This study explores the situation of migrant Roma groups in socialist Hungary during the 1950s, with a focus on a major criminal case that culminated in 1961. It examines recent interpretations of state socialist Roma policies, emphasising the persistent marginalization of Roma communities despite official rhetoric promoting integration. Drawing on court documents, the paper analyses how the authorities constructed the image of Roma lifestyle and criminality, often blending ethnic and social prejudices. Through micro-historical investigation, the study presents the everyday life, social relations, and hardships of a large Roma family, as seen through the lens of the authorities’ discriminatory practices. The research highlights the value and limitations of judicial sources in reconstructing Roma history, revealing both the oppressive structures of the state and the fragmented voices of Roma individuals during the period.