Radio Free Europe as part of Central European political migration in the context of the Cold War
Radio Free Europe as part of Central European political migration in the context of the Cold War

Summary/Abstract: Introduction: Looking at events from the perspective of the “official” US Government during the specific historical “era of imperial rivalry” – it seems that the US recognized the political potential of Central European refugees, who made a very remarkable contribution to keeping the ideological Cold War alive. Within two decades, Central European political emigres in the USA had gone through heaven and hell. First, they were attractive tools in American political warfare during the 1950s and 1960s. Then they were rapidly abandoned by official America in the 1970s. Objectives: The present study focuses on the issue of how the US Government looked at and treated Central (or East) European political emigres during the Cold War period. Conclusion: Looking through historical glasses at these processes, we can identify a gradually declining influence of Central European emigres in the West and in especially in the USA. With the passing of time, Central European emigres gradually lost their political bases first at home (in their respective home countries) then in their “shelter“ countries.

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