Changes in Poland’s policy towards German population in the first half of the 1950s

Abstract

With the end of the 1940s it occurred that relocations had not entirely solved the problem of the presence of German population in Poland since it had become essential that keeping c. two hundred thousand Germans was necessary for Polish economy. As a result, the question of solving several issues relating to their functioning in Poland appeared. However, it was the change in the international situation which had direct influence on the policy change towards this population − the creation of an allied German country (GDR) and the signing of the Treaty of Görlitz. Of importance were also soviet influences − adopting soviet ethnic policy patterns. Polish new policy’s main goal was to integrate German population with Polish society. During its realization the question of “class” was stressed and political indoctrination was carried out, with the aspect of nationality being deliberately omitted. In order to achieve the goal, attempts were made to enable German people to join labor unions, PZPR (Polish United Workers’ Party), ZMP (Union of Polish Youth) and other organizations. However, Germans felt these actions lacked emphasis on the question of their nationality, and were put off by a high degree of politicization of the issue. Another considerable problem was local authorities’ mistrust towards German population, as well as their reluctance to implement the guidelines of the policy of integration. While assessing this policy one needs to notice that it caused a considerable improvement of German population’s situation in Poland. Germans were given the opportunity to gain Polish citizenship. In order to keep the remaining Germans in Poland, authorities took action to make their living standards equal with those of Poles. `e appearance of German schooling, as well as cultural and publishing activities were permitted. However, these concessions did not manage to change the attitude of German population towards Polish authorities and the communist political system. Majority of Germans intended to leave Poland as soon as possible, regardless of any efforts on the part of the authorities. Hence, this policy was foredoomed to failure.