The Economic and Political History Podcast Post-World War II Population Transfers | Volha Charnysh with Javier Mejia
Dec 21, 2024
Volha Charnysh, an MIT Associate Professor and author of 'Uprooted', delves into the intriguing consequences of post-WWII population transfers. Exploring how integrating displaced populations can bolster state building and local economies, she discusses the dual effects of increased cultural diversity and initial social disruption. The talk highlights how diverse migrant inflows can spur gains in entrepreneurship and education over time. Additionally, Charnysh contrasts the historical and modern handling of forced migration and its implications for citizenship and societal integration.
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Charnysh's Hometown
- Volha Charnysh grew up in Grodno, Belarus, a town heavily impacted by post-WWII population transfers.
- Her hometown's demographics shifted from 42% Polish and 40% Jewish before the war to predominantly Belarusian today.
Post-WWII Transfers
- Post-WWII population transfers moved nearly 20 million people, with at least 2 million deaths during the process.
- This was driven by the belief that ethnic homogeneity promotes stability, with Germany and Poland as key examples.
Migrant Experiences
- Germans were often expelled with minimal belongings, while Poles could take some property.
- Migrants were allocated housing based on availability, often taking over former German residences.
