Torsello, Davide - Pappová, Melinda: Social Networks in Movement. Time, interaction and interethnic spaces in Central Eastern Europe - Nostra Tempora 8. (Somorja-Dunaszerdahely, 2003)

Time and social networks

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the thirties, they gradually began to accept and support the Nazi ideology, massively joining the organisation Kulturbund (which was illegal till the late 1940). This organisation actually paved the way for German (and Austrian) occupation of the Yugoslav Kingdom in April 1941. After 1938, they openly started to provoke local Slovene inhabitants and representatives of the state with demonstrations in favour of Adolf Hitler and his growing Reich. Such demonstrations (called Aufmarsch) were turned into violent riots in the village of Trate only a few days before Yugoslavia was attacked and occupied.

In 1941, the local Nazis drew up lists of people who were to be expelled to Croatia and Bosnia. From Trate these were the farmers (with all their families) who had moved to the village after WWI from Prekmurje, as well as some local intellectuals and members of the elite (for example a wealthy miller, a local priest and teachers). Their property was confiscated in the name of the German Reich and settled with people loyal to the Reich. From the village of Trate, 26 people (seven families) were expelled. In 1945, they returned to their homes. Soon after, those who sympathised with the Nazis suffered the same fate.

Building of the new world: Post-war colonisation and its unintended consequences

In January and February 1946, all members of the Kulturbund, i. e. mainly those Styrians who were recognised as the so-called Volksdeutsche, were expelled, together with their dependent children. Their property was confiscated in accordance with the act of reparations, which had been adopted during the war by the Slovene and Yugoslav partisanled government. At the same time, within some hours or days, the same property was resettled by the new "colonists” (as they were officially called) from various parts of Slovenia.

Austria and Germany were obliged to accept the expelled people and provide them material assistance for their new start. It was a part of the international agreements and contracts between the occupying and occupied countries regard-