The Confiscation of Abandoned and Former-German Assets by State Institutions in Lower Silesia 1945–1956

Abstract

Reconstruction of areas connected to Poland after 1945 but devastated during the war, was a priority of the authorities. The restoration of the former role of urban industrial and cultural centers as well as the reconstruction of farms and agricultural production depended on the reconstruction and development of the entire region. The main barriers in this process were the destroyed infrastructure, material shortages, insufficient means of transport, machines and tools, but also particularly qualified human resources. To complement deficiencies, a search was conducted to identify properties which could be put to further use. Responsible for it were the state institutions, whose activities were of particular importance in the Northern and Western Territories.