Beneš decrees

The Beneš decrees were a series of laws issued by Czechoslovakia's government after World War II, primarily in 1945-1946, to reorganize the country's borders and population. They expelled ethnic Germans and Hungarians from Czechoslovakia, confiscated their property, and redefined land ownership, aiming to create a more ethnically homogeneous state. Named after President Edvard Beneš, these decrees significantly impacted those populations, leading to substantial displacement and controversy. They were part of efforts to rebuild and stabilize Czechoslovakia post-war but are also criticized for their harsh treatment and violation of minority rights.