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The Federation of Expellees (Bund der Vertriebenen - BdV) was established in West Germany in 1957.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Federation of Expellees (BdV) was founded in West Germany on October 27, 1957, not East Germany.
The primary mission of the Federation of Expellees is to represent the interests of German nationals and ethnic Germans displaced from Central and Eastern Europe post-WWII.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Federation of Expellees' mandate specifically covers German nationals and ethnic Germans displaced from Central and Eastern Europe after World War II, not all refugees residing in Germany.
The Federation of Expellees represents individuals who were displaced from their homes in Western Europe after World War II.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Federation of Expellees primarily represents individuals displaced from Central and Eastern Europe, not Western Europe.
The *Bund der Heimatvertriebenen* was formed after the Federation of Expellees.
Answer: False
Explanation: The *Bund der Heimatvertriebenen* (League of Expellees and Deprived of Rights), established in 1950, served as the predecessor organization to the Federation of Expellees, which was formed in 1957.
The Federation of Expellees claims a membership of around 550,000 individuals.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Federation of Expellees claims a membership of 1.3 million, but a 2010 report indicated a lower actual membership of 550,000. The question states the claim is 550,000, which is the reported figure, not the claim.
When was the Federation of Expellees (Bund der Vertriebenen - BdV) established?
Answer: October 27, 1957
Explanation: The Federation of Expellees (Bund der Vertriebenen - BdV) was established in West Germany on October 27, 1957.
Who does the Federation of Expellees primarily represent?
Answer: German nationals and ethnic Germans displaced from Central and Eastern Europe post-WWII
Explanation: The Federation of Expellees primarily represents German nationals and ethnic Germans, along with their families, who were displaced or expelled from Central and Eastern Europe after World War II.
What is the stated purpose of the Federation of Expellees regarding its members' integration?
Answer: To assist members in integrating into German society and support cultural societies.
Explanation: The stated purpose of the Federation of Expellees includes assisting members in integrating into German society and supporting cultural societies related to their original birthplaces.
It is estimated that approximately 20 million ethnic Germans were displaced after World War II.
Answer: False
Explanation: Estimates suggest that between 13 and 16 million ethnic Germans were displaced from Central and Eastern Europe following World War II, not approximately 20 million.
Ethnic Germans were displaced solely from territories that were part of Germany before 1937.
Answer: False
Explanation: Ethnic Germans were displaced from a wide range of territories in Central and Eastern Europe, not solely from those that constituted Germany before 1937.
The Charter of the German Expellees was proclaimed in 1945, shortly after the end of World War II.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Charter of the German Expellees was proclaimed on August 5, 1950, not in 1945.
The Charter of the German Expellees asserted the right to one's homeland and renounced revenge and retaliation.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Charter of German Expellees indeed asserted the right to one's homeland and declared a renunciation of revenge and retaliation.
What is the estimated range for the number of ethnic Germans displaced after World War II?
Answer: 13 to 16 million
Explanation: Estimates suggest that between 13 and 16 million ethnic Germans were displaced from Central and Eastern Europe following World War II.
Which of the following regions was NOT explicitly mentioned as an area from which ethnic Germans were displaced?
Answer: Southern France
Explanation: While regions such as the Vojvodina (Serbia), Transylvania (Romania), and Kaliningrad Oblast (Russia) are cited as areas of displacement, Southern France was not explicitly mentioned in the provided context.
What was the date of the proclamation of the Charter of the German Expellees?
Answer: August 5, 1950
Explanation: The Charter of the German Expellees was proclaimed on August 5, 1950.
What complication arises from the current population in former eastern German territories?
Answer: Many current residents are themselves expellees or descendants of expellees.
Explanation: A complication arises because many current residents in former eastern German territories are themselves expellees or descendants of expellees, creating complex demographic and historical layers.
The controversy surrounding the classification of German settlers in occupied Poland as 'expellees' stems from the fact that:
Answer: Many were colonists who settled after 1939, distinct from older populations.
Explanation: The controversy stems from the fact that many German settlers in occupied Poland after 1939 were colonists, distinct from older populations whose families had long resided in Eastern Europe.
Critics have argued that the Charter of the German Expellees was deficient due to its lack of explicit mention of Nazi atrocities such as the Holocaust.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Charter of German Expellees has been criticized for its omission of any reference to Nazi atrocities like the Holocaust, failing to acknowledge the suffering of victims of Nazi persecution.
Professor Micha Brumlik noted that a significant portion of the Charter's signatories were former members of the Nazi party.
Answer: True
Explanation: Professor Micha Brumlik observed that approximately one-third of the Charter's signatories were former devoted Nazis who had actively supported Hitler's regime.
Ralph Giordano criticized the Charter for omitting any apology for the suffering inflicted upon victims of Nazi atrocities.
Answer: True
Explanation: Ralph Giordano criticized the Charter of German Expellees for its silence on critical historical events and figures, including Hitler and Auschwitz, and for its failure to offer an apology for the suffering of victims of Nazi atrocities.
A 2012 study confirmed that the early leadership of the Federation of Expellees had no significant ties to the Nazi regime.
Answer: False
Explanation: A study conducted in 2012 confirmed that a significant proportion of the Federation's initial leadership was deeply implicated in the Nazi regime, with eleven out of the thirteen members of its first council having been heavily involved.
A major criticism leveled against the Charter of the German Expellees was its:
Answer: Failure to mention Nazi atrocities like the Holocaust
Explanation: A significant criticism of the Charter of German Expellees was its failure to explicitly mention Nazi atrocities, such as the Holocaust, and its omission of apologies for the suffering inflicted upon victims.
According to Professor Micha Brumlik, what was notable about many signatories of the Charter of the German Expellees?
Answer: Approximately one-third were former devoted Nazis.
Explanation: Professor Micha Brumlik observed that approximately one-third of the Charter's signatories were former devoted Nazis who had actively contributed to the realization of Hitler's objectives.
What did the Polish newspaper *Rzeczpospolita* claim was available at Federation of Expellees meetings?
Answer: Publications expressing anti-Polish sentiments and Waffen SS materials
Explanation: In 2003, the Polish newspaper *Rzeczpospolita* reported the availability of publications expressing anti-Polish sentiments and materials related to the Waffen SS at Federation of Expellees meetings.
How did the Federation of Expellees officially respond to accusations regarding extremist materials being available at their meetings?
Answer: They officially denied involvement but took no concrete steps.
Explanation: The Federation of Expellees officially denied involvement with the extremist materials but reportedly took no concrete steps to address the concerns raised.
What did the *Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung* clarify regarding a *Der Spiegel* report about former Nazi activists in a predecessor organization?
Answer: That the report concerned a dissolved predecessor organization, not the current BdV.
Explanation: The *Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung* clarified that the *Der Spiegel* report concerning former Nazi activists referred to a dissolved predecessor organization, not the current Federation of Expellees (BdV).
During the Cold War, what accusation was leveled against the Federation of Expellees by the GDR and Poland?
Answer: Perpetuating Nazi ideology
Explanation: During the Cold War, the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and Poland accused the Federation of Expellees of perpetuating Nazi ideology.
What did Ralph Giordano criticize the Charter of the German Expellees for in the Hamburger Abendblatt?
Answer: Its silence on Hitler, Auschwitz, and apologies for victim suffering.
Explanation: Ralph Giordano criticized the Charter of German Expellees in the Hamburger Abendblatt for its silence on Hitler, Auschwitz, and apologies for victim suffering, as well as its avoidance of the reasons for the expulsions.
West Germany enacted significant legislation for expellees starting in 1953, including the Federal Expellee Law.
Answer: True
Explanation: West Germany enacted significant legislation addressing the situation of German expellees starting in 1953, notably the Federal Expellee Law (*Bundesvertriebenengesetz*).
The 'Law of Return' granted German citizenship only to ethnic Germans who personally experienced expulsion.
Answer: False
Explanation: The 'Law of Return' granted German citizenship to any ethnic German, not exclusively those who personally experienced expulsion.
Under the Federal Expellee Law, only the original expellee is recognized as an expellee.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Federal Expellee Law extends the status of 'expellee' to the spouse and descendants of the original displaced person.
The Federation of Expellees has actively worked to abolish the inheritability clause in German expellee legislation.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Federation of Expellees has consistently advocated for maintaining, not abolishing, the inheritability clause in German expellee legislation.
Willy Brandt's Ostpolitik led to West Germany officially recognizing the Oder-Neisse line as its eastern border.
Answer: True
Explanation: Willy Brandt's Ostpolitik significantly impacted the status of the Oder-Neisse line by leading to its official recognition by West Germany as the eastern border with Poland.
The Treaty on the Final Settlement With Respect to Germany (Two Plus Four Agreement) effectively required Germany to accept its post-World War II frontiers, thereby renouncing claims to territories beyond them.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Two Plus Four Agreement re-established German sovereignty and mandated the acceptance of post-World War II frontiers, which implicitly meant renouncing claims to territories that were part of Germany before 1937 but are now outside its borders.
Following reunification, Germany's Basic Law was amended to incorporate the five eastern federal states using Article 23.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following reunification in 1990, Germany's Basic Law was amended, utilizing Article 23 to incorporate the five eastern federal states.
Which piece of legislation, enacted starting in 1953, addressed the situation of German expellees?
Answer: The Federal Expellee Law (*Bundesvertriebenengesetz*)
Explanation: The Federal Expellee Law (*Bundesvertriebenengesetz*), enacted starting in 1953, was a significant piece of legislation addressing the situation of German expellees.
The Federal Expellee Law extends the status of 'expellee' to whom, besides the original person displaced?
Answer: To their spouse and descendants
Explanation: The Federal Expellee Law extends the status of 'expellee' to the spouse and descendants of the original displaced person, ensuring the legal status is inherited.
What policy under Willy Brandt significantly impacted the status of the Oder-Neisse line?
Answer: Ostpolitik
Explanation: Willy Brandt's Ostpolitik significantly impacted the status of the Oder-Neisse line by leading to its official recognition by West Germany as the eastern border with Poland.
The Treaty on the Final Settlement With Respect to Germany (Two Plus Four Agreement) primarily resulted in:
Answer: The re-establishment of German sovereignty and acceptance of post-WWII frontiers
Explanation: The Two Plus Four Agreement primarily resulted in the re-establishment of German sovereignty and the formal acceptance of its post-World War II frontiers.
What is the primary reason cited for the West German government's potential reluctance to pursue territorial claims vigorously?
Answer: Potential complications for German reunification
Explanation: The primary reason cited for the West German government's reluctance to vigorously pursue territorial claims was the potential complication these claims posed for German reunification.
Bernd Fabritius, the current president, has led the organization since 2004.
Answer: False
Explanation: Bernd Fabritius has served as president since 2014, not 2004.
Bernd Fabritius, the current president, is an ethnic German from Romania who arrived in West Germany as a refugee.
Answer: True
Explanation: Bernd Fabritius, the current president of the Federation of Expellees, is indeed an ethnic German (Transylvanian Saxon) from Romania who arrived in West Germany as a refugee in 1984.
Erika Steinbach co-led the Center Against Expulsions with Professor Dr. Peter Glotz, a former SPD politician.
Answer: True
Explanation: Erika Steinbach co-led the Center Against Expulsions with Professor Dr. Peter Glotz, who was a former SPD politician, not a CSU politician.
Erika Steinbach has recently rejected compensation claims related to expulsions in her capacity as chair of the Federation.
Answer: True
Explanation: Erika Steinbach, in her former role as chair of the Federation of Expellees, reportedly rejected compensation claims related to expulsions.
Rudi Pawelka is the current president of the Federation of Expellees.
Answer: False
Explanation: Bernd Fabritius is the current president of the Federation of Expellees; Rudi Pawelka holds a position related to the Prussian Trust.
The Federation of Expellees is structured into regional associations based on members' current places of residence.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Federation of Expellees is structured into regional associations based on members' original areas of origin (*Landsmannschaften*) and state organizations based on their current places of residence (*Landesverbände*).
Poland and the Czech Republic have supported the claims made by German expellees regarding territorial rights.
Answer: False
Explanation: Poland and the Czech Republic have unanimously rejected the claims put forth by German expellees regarding territorial rights.
Erika Steinbach co-led the Center Against Expulsions with which prominent figure?
Answer: Peter Glotz
Explanation: Erika Steinbach co-led the Center Against Expulsions with Professor Dr. Peter Glotz.
How are the member organizations within the Federation of Expellees primarily categorized?
Answer: By historical region of origin and current state residence
Explanation: Member organizations within the Federation of Expellees are primarily categorized by their historical region of origin (*Landsmannschaften*) and their current state residence (*Landesverbände*).
How do Poland and the Czech Republic justify the expulsions and border adjustments that occurred after WWII?
Answer: As consequences of the Potsdam Conference and German nationalization policies.
Explanation: Poland and the Czech Republic justify the post-WWII expulsions and border adjustments as consequences of the Potsdam Conference and their nationalization policies, rather than as actions initiated by their own governments.
Who is identified as the current president of the Federation of Expellees?
Answer: Bernd Fabritius
Explanation: Bernd Fabritius is identified as the current president of the Federation of Expellees, having held the position since 2014.
How is the Federation of Expellees structured internally?
Answer: Into 21 regional associations (*Landsmannschaften*) and 16 state organizations (*Landesverbände*).
Explanation: Internally, the Federation of Expellees is structured into 21 regional associations (*Landsmannschaften*) and 16 state organizations (*Landesverbände*).