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Echoes of Displacement

An academic exploration of the Federation of Expellees (Bund der Vertriebenen), its history, role, and the complex issues surrounding German expulsions after World War II.

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Overview

Representing Expellees

The Federation of Expellees (German: Bund der Vertriebenen, BdV) is a non-profit organization established in West Germany on October 27, 1957. It serves as the primary representative body for German nationals and ethnic Germans who fled or were forcibly expelled from their homes in Central and Eastern Europe following World War II.

Historical Context

Its formation addresses the immense displacement of approximately 13 to 16 million ethnic Germans after World War II from territories including former eastern German regions, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, and other Eastern European countries.

Current Leadership

Since 2014, the Federation has been led by Bernd Fabritius, himself a former Transylvanian Saxon refugee from Romania. He has also served as a Member of the Bundestag.

Historical Context

Post-War Displacement

The period following World War II witnessed one of the largest forced migrations in history. An estimated 13 to 16 million ethnic Germans were displaced from their ancestral homelands in Central and Eastern Europe. This displacement occurred due to various factors, including the redrawing of borders, Soviet and Allied policies, and retaliatory actions.

These regions encompassed areas like the former eastern territories of Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Romania, and others, leading to profound demographic shifts and immense human suffering.

Broader Narrative

The broader historical narrative of these events is detailed in the article on the Flight and expulsion of Germans (1944–1950), providing essential background for understanding the Federation's origins and purpose.

Charter of Expellees

The 1950 Declaration

The "Charter of the German Expellees" (Charta der deutschen Heimatvertriebenen), proclaimed on August 5, 1950, articulated the expellees' belief in the fundamental right to their homeland. Crucially, it also declared a commitment to renouncing revenge and retaliation, acknowledging the immense suffering of the preceding decade, and supporting the collective effort to rebuild Germany and Europe.

Despite its stated intentions, the Charter has faced significant criticism:

  • Omission of Nazi Atrocities: Critics argue the Charter fails to mention or acknowledge the atrocities committed by Nazi Germany during World War II, including the Holocaust.
  • Ignoring Reasons for Expulsion: The document has been criticized for not addressing the historical context and actions that led to the expulsions, presenting the narrative solely from the perspective of the expelled Germans.
  • Ignoring Emigration Due to Nazism: It is also noted that the Charter does not account for Germans who were forced to emigrate due to Nazi persecution.

Scholars like Micha Brumlik have pointed out that a substantial portion of the signatories had prior involvement with the Nazi regime, further complicating the historical interpretation of the Charter.

German Laws

Federal Expellee Law

Enacted in 1953, the Bundesvertriebenengesetz (Federal Expellee Law) provided a legal framework for the integration and rights of expellees in West Germany. This law established refugee status, which was declared inheritable.

Crucially, amendments to this law and related legislation, such as the "Law of Return," granted German citizenship to ethnic Germans, regardless of their prior nationality. The Federation has consistently advocated for the preservation of the inheritable clause for refugee status.

The "Law of Return"

This significant piece of legislation declared that the spouse and descendants of an expellee were to be treated as expellees themselves, irrespective of their personal displacement. This principle has been central to the Federation's advocacy, ensuring that the status and rights associated with expellee status could be passed down through generations.

Formation

Founding Date

The Federation of Expellees (BdV) was officially established on October 27, 1957, in West Germany. This marked a consolidation of various regional and ethnic German groups seeking unified representation.

Predecessor Organization

Prior to the BdV's formation, the Bund der Heimatvertriebenen (League of Expellees and Deprived of Rights), founded in 1950, served as an earlier representative body. This league had achieved some success in both West and East Germany in its initial years.

German Reunification

Political Landscape

The process of German reunification in 1989-1990 presented complex challenges, particularly concerning territorial claims and international relations. Previous West German governments, especially those led by the CDU, had often offered rhetorical support for the territorial claims of expellees.

However, the Social Democrats, under Willy Brandt's policy of Ostpolitik, had already recognized the Oder-Neisse line as the de facto border with Poland, a move that facilitated visits to former homelands but potentially conflicted with expellee interests.

Treaty and Constitutional Changes

The West German government prioritized swift reunification and accepted the 1990 Treaty on the Final Settlement With Respect to Germany (Two Plus Four Agreement). A key condition was Germany's acceptance of its post-World War II frontiers. Following reunification, the Basic Law was amended to reflect that Germany's territory had reached its full extent, effectively closing the chapter on historical territorial claims.

Recent Developments

Center Against Expulsions

In 2000, the Federation initiated the formation of the Center Against Expulsions (Zentrum gegen Vertreibungen). This initiative was co-chaired by Erika Steinbach, then chairwoman of the BdV, and the late SPD politician Prof. Dr. Peter Glotz.

Political Stances

Erika Steinbach has reportedly rejected claims for compensation, while Vice President Rudi Pawelka chairs the supervisory board of the Prussian Trust. Recent acknowledgments by Vice President Siegbert Ortmann confirm that some members have expressed support for far-right parties like the NPD and AfD, though the organization stated it would not cooperate with the AfD.

Organizational Structure

Regional Associations

The Federation is structured around 21 regional associations (Landsmannschaften), each representing members from specific areas of origin. These include prominent groups such as the Landsmannschaft Ostpreußen, Landsmannschaft Schlesien, and Sudetendeutsche Landsmannschaft.

  • Landsmannschaft Ostpreußen
  • Landsmannschaft Schlesien
  • Deutsch-Baltische Gesellschaft
  • Landsmannschaft der Banater Schwaben e.V.
  • Landsmannschaft Berlin-Mark Brandenburg
  • Landsmannschaft der Bessarabiendeutschen e.V.
  • Landsmannschaft der Buchenlanddeutschen (Bukowina) e.V.
  • Bund der Danziger e.V.
  • Landsmannschaft der Dobrudscha und Bulgariendeutschen
  • Landsmannschaft der Donauschwaben, Bundesverband e.V.
  • Karpatendeutsche Landsmannschaft Slowakei e.V.
  • Landsmannschaft der Deutschen aus Litauen e.V.
  • Landsmannschaft der Oberschlesier e.V. – Bundesverband –
  • Pommersche Landsmannschaft – Zentralverband – e.V.
  • Landsmannschaft der Deutschen aus Russland e.V.
  • Landsmannschaft der Sathmarer Schwaben in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland e.V.
  • Landsmannschaft der Siebenbürger Sachsen in Deutschland e.V.
  • Sudetendeutsche Landsmannschaft Bundesverband e.V.
  • Landsmannschaft der Deutschen aus Ungarn
  • Landsmannschaft Weichsel-Warthe Bundesverband e.V.
  • Landsmannschaft Westpreußen e.V.

State Organizations

Sixteen state organizations (Landesverbände) are organized based on the current residence of members within Germany. These ensure representation across the federal states.

  • Landesverband Baden-Württemberg
  • Landesverband Bayern
  • Landesverband Berlin
  • Landesverband Brandenburg
  • Landesverband Bremen
  • Landesverband Hamburg
  • Landesverband Hessen
  • Landesverband Mecklenburg-Vorpommern
  • Landesverband Niedersachsen
  • Landesverband Nordrhein-Westfalen
  • Landesverband Rheinland-Pfalz
  • Landesverband Saar
  • Landesverband Sachsen / Schlesische Lausitz
  • Landesverband Sachsen-Anhalt
  • Landesverband Schleswig-Holstein
  • Landesverband Thüringen

Associate Members

In addition to regional and state bodies, the Federation includes associate member organizations, further broadening its scope and representation.

The Federation claims approximately 1.3 million members, though some reports suggest a figure closer to 550,000, with a smaller percentage contributing financially.

Criticism and Controversy

Historical Narratives

The Federation has faced persistent criticism regarding its historical narratives and alleged attempts to downplay or relativize the causes and consequences of World War II. Concerns are often raised about the organization's stance on Nazi atrocities and the reasons behind the post-war expulsions.

Border Recognition: While German governments have largely accepted post-war borders, the Federation's stance has sometimes been perceived as questioning these boundaries, creating diplomatic friction with Poland and the Czech Republic. These nations argue that the expulsions were ordered by Allied conferences, not solely by their governments, and that German property nationalization affected all citizens, not just Germans.

Nazi Background: Studies and reports have indicated that a significant number of early Federation leaders and members had ties to the Nazi regime. While the organization officially denies promoting Nazi ideology, allegations of anti-Polish sentiment and the availability of far-right materials at meetings have surfaced, contributing to ongoing controversy.

"Colonists" vs. "Expellees": A point of contention involves the inclusion of individuals settled in occupied Poland by the Nazis as "expellees." While the Federation argues many were ethnic Germans displaced by Nazi-Soviet transfers, critics highlight the distinction between long-established populations and those settled during the war.

Diplomatic Tensions

The expellees' claims and the Federation's advocacy have been a source of mistrust between Germany and its eastern neighbors. Poland and the Czech Republic emphasize that the expulsions were part of a broader post-war settlement and that current populations in those regions are often themselves displaced persons.

The Federation's position is often contrasted with the official policies of German governments, which have prioritized reconciliation and acceptance of current borders, particularly since Willy Brandt's Ostpolitik.

Notable Figures

Past and Present Leaders

The Federation has been led by several prominent figures throughout its history:

  • Hans Krüger (1959–1963) - Resigned due to his Nazi past.
  • Wenzel Jaksch (1964–1966)
  • Reinhold Rehs (1967–1970)
  • Herbert Czaja (1970–1994)
  • Fritz Wittmann (1994–1998)
  • Erika Steinbach (1998–2014)
  • Bernd Fabritius (2014–Present)

Other notable individuals associated with the organization or its initiatives include Heinz Neumeyer and Peter Glotz.

Authority Control

Data Identifiers

International
National
Other

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References

References

  1.  (in Polish) Beata Ociepka, "Związek Wypędzonych w systemie politycznym RFN i jego wpływ na stosunki polsko-niemieckie 1982–1992", page 235, Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Wrocławskiego, 1997
  2.  "Gesetz über die Angelegenheiten der Vertriebenen und Flüchtlinge" Par. 7/2. Retrieved 29 October 2017
  3.  "Dafür fehlen uns die Mittel", Der Spiegel, 14 August 2006
A full list of references for this article are available at the Federation of Expellees Wikipedia page

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Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice

This document has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence, synthesizing information from publicly available sources, primarily Wikipedia. It is intended for academic and educational purposes, providing a structured overview of the Federation of Expellees and related historical contexts.

Content Accuracy and Bias: While efforts have been made to adhere strictly to the provided source material and maintain an objective tone, the original source may contain inherent biases or present specific perspectives. The AI's interpretation and presentation of this information are based on its training data and algorithms. Users are strongly encouraged to consult primary sources and diverse scholarly works for a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of these complex historical events.

Historical Sensitivity: The subject matter involves sensitive historical events, including mass displacement and post-war political developments. This content is presented for informational purposes and does not constitute an endorsement or validation of any particular viewpoint or historical interpretation.

The creators of this AI model and this page are not responsible for any inaccuracies, omissions, or interpretations derived from this content. Always cross-reference information and consult expert historical analysis.