Founding of the Federation of German Expellees

© BdV Manifestation on occassion of the announcement of the „Charter of German Expellees“ in front of the Stuttgart palace, 5 August 1950

One of the greatest challenges for the young Federal Republic of Germany is posed by the integration of those Germans expelled from the eastern regions of the German Reich as a result of the Second World War. The „expellees“ exert a powerful influence on West Germany’s internal policies.

On 18 November 1951 the ten million member strong „Federation of German Expellees“ (BvD) is founded. The federation declares itself in favour of the „Charter of German Expellees“ which has already been ratified on 5 August 1950. The document states the following: „We expellees renounce revenge and retaliation. For us this decision is sacred and solemn in memory of the boundless suffering which the previous decade has visited on humanity. With all our might we will support every initiative which aims at creating a unified Europe in which its people can live free from fear and coercion.“ Linus Kather is chosen as the first chairman of the BvD.