The Mass Displacement of People in Europe After World War Two: A Look at Migration, Repatriation, and the Aftermath of War

OWL Celebrates Learning

OWL Celebrates Learning
The Mass Displacement of People in Europe After World War Two: A Look at Migration, Repatriation, and the Aftermath of War
May 18, 2023 Season 1 Episode 6
Thomas Totushek

The podcast discusses the mass displacement of people in Europe during World War Two, with 55 million people forced to leave their homes. Many Jewish concentration camp survivors were forcibly removed from their homes, leading to a mass migration after the war ended. Some people migrated voluntarily, while others were forcibly repatriated. Many European countries experienced economic booms, leading to strong pull factors for migrants. Germany, in particular, had a large number of refugees and migrants, with many Jewish people seeking permission to enter Palestine. Many people also chose to emigrate to other countries, such as Canada and Australia, resulting in chain migration. The travel experience was difficult due to cultural differences and language barriers. Many displaced persons didn't want to stay in a place with such trauma and remembrance of the war. The post-war period led to significant changes in the populations and locations of millions of people, with dramatic cultural changes in the countries people emigrated to.