50 theses on the expulsion of the Germans from Central and Eastern Europe 1944 - 1948

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The forced displacement of over 14 million Germans from their ancestral homelands in Central and Eastern Europe between 1944 and 1948 resulted in a humanitarian catastrophe, leading to approximately two million deaths. This mass expulsion, which disregarded individual guilt or innocence, marked the loss of Germany's Eastern provinces and the end of its centuries-old presence in regions like Bohemia and Moravia. These events have had profound political, economic, cultural, and psychological repercussions, yet they have remained largely unknown and almost taboo for over 65 years. The scale of these expulsions exceeds that of the ethnic cleansing in the former Yugoslavia and the Rwandan genocide, yet no international tribunal has ever addressed the issue or held perpetrators accountable. Public indifference to German suffering persists. This work aims to bridge this knowledge gap, presenting the facts and exploring the historical and legal implications, while situating the events within a broader context of human rights and international law. The original German version was well-received by various scholars and educators, and this updated English edition is particularly suitable for educational purposes. Alfred de Zayas, an American lawyer and historian, holds degrees from Harvard and Göttingen and has extensive experience in international law and human rights.