End of the War. What next?

The year 1945 brought with it the liberation of the surviving forced laborers. The Allied powers initially condemned forced labor as what it was: a crime. They also worked to enable millions of deportees to return to their native countries. Yet the Cold War was already looming on the horizon.

Several people are sitting on the bonnet of a jeep. Among them is an American soldier. Sitting next to him is a man holding a newspaper up to the camera.

Liberation Joy and new concerns

Forced laborers celebrated the end of the war, but their but their trials were not immediately over.

A large number of boys and girls of different ages have gathered in front of a building. Above the door of the building is a sign that reads "Taburt School".

Displaced Persons Return or Living in a New Country

Many former forced laborers were homeless after the war.

The picture shows the defendants during the Nünrberg trial. The dock on which they are sitting is guarded by soldiers.

Criminal Prosecution Guilt and Punishment

The German courts did not recognize forced labor as a crime.

The cartoon depicts the path to compensation as a board game. The path and, in particular, the obstacles on the way to compensation are depicted ironically.

Damaged Justice Displacement and Charity

Recognition of the fates suffered by forced laborers came too late.