"Migrations in the 20 th century and their consequences – ways forward for history lessons within a European context"

3. A comparative view of migration processes - case studies
While teaching on the subject of migration has overwhelmingly dealt with the theme from a 
national point of view, a comparison or even the incorporation of other viewpoints seems 
particularly productive and commendable. Therefore, two closely linked population 
displacements at the end of the Second World War were examined as exemplary fields of 
research: flight and expulsion of Germans from the territories to the east of the Oder and the 
Neisse and the "repatriation" or forced resettlement of Poles from the territories allocated to the 
Soviet Union in the process of Poland's westward shift. The focus was not solely on the causes 
and the course of events but also, and in particular, on the processes of integration into the new 
homelands concerned.
3.1. Integration of refugees and displaced persons in the Federal Republic of Germany
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In the case of the displaced Germans, it is now clear today that, despite substantial economic 
and social problems and not inconsiderable tension between the established population and 
their new fellow citizens in the post-war period, their integration was thoroughly successful.
Decisive factors were identified as: compensation for material losses paid to the displaced 
persons (spreading of the burden), which provided start-up aid for building a new life; favourable 
economic development ("economic miracle"); avoidance of ghetto-isation through an even 
distribution of displaced persons; the catering for their interests by people's parties; the 
7
The integration of displaced Germans was covered by Prof. Rudolf Endres, Bayreuth University

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acceptance and fostering of the cultural traditions of displaced groups and also the integration of 
the second and third generations through school, club membership etc. In that much, the 
history of refugees and displaced persons in the Federal Republic of Germany can be held up 
as a case study for successful integration.
3.2. Displacement of Poles and the process of their integration in the post-war period
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(the full 
text of this lecture is appended)
Migration to Poland immediately after the Second World War involved the settlement of the 
"recovered territories", ie the former German territory land acquired by Poland in its westward 
shift. In particular the integration of the "repatriates" (evacuated from former Polish territory in 
the east) proved difficult. The frontier issue that was still not definitively settled, fears of German 
vengeance deliberately stoked by politicians and also hopes of a return to the homeland 
resulted in many people initially making no arrangements for a lasting stay.
One important factor in integration is finding one's place among the host population. But that 
population had largely of fled or been displaced. Those Germans who remained were not 
regarded as fellow citizens but in many cases as individuals responsible for the suffering caused 
or the consequences of the war, such as the displacement of Poles from the eastern territories.
In Upper Silesia, Mazuria and Ermland/Wąrmia the established population were viewed with 
deep mistrust as "half-poles" or "half-germans" by the new arrivals. In addition, there was 
tension between the two groups of Polish migrants: those being resettled (migrants from Central 
Poland) went willingly to the "recovered territories" to build a better life for themselves; the 
"repatriates" felt that they had suffered an injustice, had to cope with the loss of their homeland, 
were looked down on by those being resettled and were at a disadvantage vis-à-vis the latter.
The Polish government's first move was to eliminate the divisive factors through a rapid 
assimilation policy. This met with very little success, particularly in Silesia, and alienation from 
the Polish state and the parallel existence of the different population groups have lingered on (to 
the present day), finding a partial safety valve in emigration (of Germans to the Federal 
Republic for example). It is true, though, that the state has also succeeded in creating a new 
regional society, albeit in parts. Among the determining factors in this were common work 
inter 
alia
in industry, the growing degree of social levelling and the accompanying assimilation of 
ways of living, migration to towns, the unifying impact of school education, the fading of cultural 
idiosyncrasies, partly as a result of the mass media, the common catholic faith and finally the 
growth of links between groups through marriage, membership of organisations, shared 
neighbourhood etc.