ABSTRACT
The confiscation of the property of Sudeten Germans was written down in the transitory laws, usually called Benes Decrees. The term "Benes Decrees" originates from the name of the Czechoslovak president, Edvard Benes, who dominated Czech exile policy in World War I and World War II. The Sudeten German community is very well organized. Only a minority of the Austrian and German public seems to understand that the term "Benes Decrees" is not synonymous with the expulsions. Therefore, the political parties in Germany and Austria have tried to establish links to them in order to win over voters. Czechs are horrified or, in some cases, amused by such a demand because it is simply impossible and legally absurd to abolish the vast body of transitory legislation. The Czechs consider themselves victims of the Nazi regime and, the Sudeten Germans, who were strong supporters of the Hitler regime.
