Ep 13. Postwar Flight and Expulsion

A History of Eastern Europe season 1 episode 13 titled "Postwar Flight and Expulsion" takes a deep dive into the aftermath of World War II and the massive displacement of people in Eastern Europe. The episode begins by examining the changing borders and political landscape of Eastern Europe after the defeat of Nazi Germany. Millions of people were forced to flee their homes due to various reasons including ethnic cleansing, forced resettlement, and political oppression. The episode chronicles the experiences of these people and the challenges they faced as they attempted to rebuild their lives in a new land.

The episode focuses on several key events and regions where displacement occurred. The first is the postwar flight and expulsion of Germans from Czechoslovakia, Poland, and other Eastern European countries. The show references the Potsdam Conference of 1945 and the agreement made between the Soviet Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom on the transfer of Germans from Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary. This event has been described as the largest forced migration in human history with over 12 million Germans being affected.

The second event covered is the flight and expulsion of Ukrainians from Poland. The show explains how tensions between Ukrainians and Poles had been present for centuries and how these tensions became heightened during World War II. The Polish government, with the backing of the Soviet Union, forcibly resettled over 140,000 Ukrainians from southeastern Poland in 1947. The episode provides a detailed account of this event and the impact it had on the Ukrainian community.

The third event discussed is the expulsion of Roma people from Eastern Europe. The episode highlights the fact that Roma people were targeted by both the Nazis and the communist regimes that came to power after World War II. The show explains how Roma people were seen as "undesirable" and were often subjected to abuse and forced to leave their homes. The episode also explores the impact that these expulsions had on the Roma community and the challenges they faced as they attempted to rebuild their lives.

Throughout the episode, the show features interviews with historians, survivors, and experts who provide insight into these events and their lasting impact. The show also uses archival footage and photographs to give viewers a sense of the scale and scope of these displacements.

Overall, A History of Eastern Europe season 1 episode 13 is a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the human toll of war and the challenges of rebuilding in the aftermath of conflict. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of Eastern Europe and the lessons that can be learned from this tumultuous period.