University of Nebraska at Omaha DigitalCommons@UNO Student Work 1-1-1953 Adjustment of displaced persons … Vojislav Dosenovich University of Nebraska at Omaha Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/studentwork Recommended Citation Dosenovich, Vojislav, "Adjustment of displaced persons …" (1953). Student Work. 376. https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/studentwork/376 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UNO. It has been accepted for inclusion in Student Work by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UNO. For more information, please contact [email protected]. By Advisor W DISPIAC® f M B O M Fojielev Dosenovich A thesis Submitted to the faeulty of the College of Arte m & Sciences of the tmwrstty of Gmha in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Heater of Arte Oaehaf Iff! UMI Number: EP73014 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI EP73014 Published by ProQuest LLC (2015). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 tasteful aekaonledgment %& eaiieaded to ta* Carl H. lemon. Head of the Churoh World Service In Idnsoln, for hia cooperation in obtaining material for t M a prelectf to Mi t h faaaoaon. Superintendent of tb» Omaha Board of Idnlt Education and tarioani&at lea, for the nee of Msplaoed Persona filesf and to Br* George 1* Wilber, Frofesaor of Sociology, University of taha, for bio aaaistaoee in an advisory capacity* mfttiT.T? Ot? PfWPVftfPfi AtiTtnsM? Chapter I Introduction To the Adjustment of Displaced Persom XX Background of th© Displaced Persons Problem XXI The Role of the United ( N M to too Displaced Persons Program i XV General Problems of Adjustment Confronting Displaced Persons ' V Survey of Family Groups and Individuals Resettled in Nebraska by The Church World Service* 146 Cases VI f he Resettlement of 1466 Displaced Persons to Omaha, Nebraska VII Adjustment of Displaced Persons to OnyfoA VIII Summary and Conclusions Appendix X Map Appendix XI Case Histories f&BI© Table Page 1 Number. of Persons Far Family for 94 Displaced Forsons families in Nebraska, 1952 18 11 Areas to Which Displaced Persons Moved From Nebraska 22 H I Residential Stability of 146 Gases of the Displaced Persons Resettled in Nebraska as of July* .1952 23 IF Humber of Displaced Persons Enrolled in Glasses Daring June 1 , 1951 to June 1, 1952* Dumber Applied for first Papers* for Second Papers* Naturalized during 1952. Shown by nationality 26 ? total Number of Displaced Persons In Omaha by Nationality* Including the Number Added During 1951-1952I The Number in the Files as of June X* 1952 27 ?I Displaced Persons in Omaha According to the Country of Origin and the Percentage of Each National Group 28 FIX Citizenship Class Enrollment According to Country of Origin and Sex 29 Fill Displaced Persons in Omaha Applying for First Papers 30 XX Country of Origin of 20 Displaced Persons Interviewed in Omaha 34 X Age of 20 DP Respondents in Omaha 34 XX Ability to Speak English as Related to Age 35 XXI Occupation in Old Country of 20 DP Interviewees 35 XXIX Marital Status of 20 DP Interviewees 36 nmnm i INTRODUCTION TO THE ADJUSTM8T OF DISPLACED PERSONS This study concerns Displaced Persons. At the end of World War IX thousands of Europeans had been displaced from their homes and countries, either as prisoners of war, slave laborers, or refugees. Many preferred to remain in exile rather than return to their na­ tive lands where political conditions had undergone radical changes* The allied force# in Germany and Italy provided shelter, food, and clothing for these people, with the United States pioneering in this activity. The United Nations Rehabilitation Act was directed to care for displaced persons before the International Refugee Organi­ zation was created in 1947. In general, the purpose of this project is to provide a better understanding of the displaced person*# problem* It should become clear as this study progresses that extending understanding and trust to these people who were deprived of the "basic human rights" make# it easier for them to adjust to a new culture, thereby restor­ ing their trust toward their fellow man. From this viewpoint, then, it is possible to better comprehend the age in which we are living. The cultural backgrounds and values of individuals and families who were forced to abandon their homes and seek refuge in a new land are discussed in this study as well as the adjustment these people have to make to the customs and emotional and physical environment of their adopted cult tare. Statement of the Problem the adjustment of displaced persons in the TMied States , with special emphasis on Omaha, is the main subject of this study* there are, however, several secondary interests* (1 ) factors responsible for the displacement of large numbers of Europeans from their homes5 (2) resettlement of displaced persons from refugee camps in Europe* (3) the activity of the United Nations and the United States with regard to the displaced persons problem* (4 ) factors related to the adjustment of displaced persons* It is not assumed that this project is a thorough analysis of the problem of adjustment of displaced persons in general, nor the final authority in suggested rehabilitation of these persons* Methodological Approach In this study, the investigator followed various procedures in the gathering and presentation of data. Documents were obtained from the Displaced Forsons Commission in Washington, B.C., from the United Nations, and from the Displaced Persons Press Release, containing in** formation on the background of displaced persons in Europe and the historical development of the resettlement of refugees * through the cooperation of the Church World Service office in Lincoln, Nebraska, the files of 146 displaced persons who had settled in Nebraska rural areas were made available for study and analysis* the Board of Adult Education and Americanisation in Omaha contribu­ ted the files of 1466 cases in the Omaha area* the investigator also Interviewed certain persons who are concerned with the resettle­ ment of displaced persons in this area. Personal opinions of these people are considered in this study as an indication of reaction to displaced persons as are the opinions of employers and businessmen 2 regarding the working potentialities of the immigrants. Furthermore, an attempt is mad© to show that the problem of adjustment that exists for the displaced person is similar to that of the earlier immigrants in the United States, that there is a significant age difference in progress made in learning the English language, that there is a significant difference in adjustment among various nationality groups of displaced persons, that there is a sigaifleant difference in the process of adjustment of displaced persons who resettled in rural areas in Hebraska and those who settled in Omaha, and that displaced persons are economically self-supporting after being resettled* the criteria used in this study be evaluate adjustment of indi­ vidual displaced persons were* (1 ) Participation in Americanisation classes| (2 ) Ability to speak the English language} (3) Steady employment and residence} (4) Citizenship, first and second papers} (5) Experiences and satisfaction expressed during the interview. these criteria, however, do not wholly present the personality and behavior of the newcomers, but rather give a partial view of the total picture* the displaced persons who were interviewed expressed satisfaction with the freedom and opportunities offered in this country and the kindness of the American people with whom they were associated. The feelings of the displaced persons might be expressed thus* nGtod bless America and Americans and preserve American democracy.* CHAPTER I I BACKGROUND OF THE DXSPUCB) PERSON PROBIEM In regard to the background of the displaced persons problem, which is one of adjustment, this chapter considers various contribu- tingf actors .such as political and. religious conditions:, overpopu­ lation, and race and national persecutions! all of which resulted in thousands of people leaving' their;.homes to seek- refuge in the western world. This is presented in order to provide a better understanding ..and insight into the basic pattern of resettlement and adjustment. Displace^ Persons as j Problem of International importance The background of the problem of displaced persons is a part of the ideological, political, social and economic turmoils of Europe and Asia# Certain nations have developed conditions that seem to produce refugees constantly* Persecution and fear of per­ secution caused thousands of people to leave their homes and cross, perhaps for the last time, the borders of their native lands to make their way into an unknown and uncertain future. Conditions of political, religious, racial and national perse­ cutions which took place during the last two decades and especially during- World’War II, have increased in dramatic intensity for all of mankind. These persecutions have led to "the most tremendous popu- lstion dislocation la history,"1 S g ffM M Iiflg !&<$g.Sg M tjje Problem Recent history has shown how Nazi and Fascist leaders used the overpopulation in Italy and Germany to their advantage. With mis­ leading propaganda, such leaders brought their people to settle 1. ' IJ. S. Displaced Persons1 Commission, Digest of Speech Material. Washington, D. 0*, 1951. this problem mainly by persecution. Such action resulted in many untold tragedies and the extermination of vast masses in these nations, including their own.