Displaced Persons Camps in Germany and Austria (1945–1960)
Displaced Persons Camps in Germany and Austria (1945–1960) is a focused, source-based student worksheet that helps students understand the scale and impact of displacement in Europe after the Second World War. By 1945, around 11 million people had been displaced, with Germany and Austria becoming central locations due to Nazi forced labour systems and wartime destruction. This lesson guides students through how Displaced Persons (DP) camps were established as a response, while also examining their effectiveness and limitations through carefully structured content and sources.
This resource is designed to save teachers time while building strong historical understanding. Students move step-by-step from contextual knowledge into source analysis, using clearly written explanations and relevant statistics to support their learning. The worksheet directly supports IBDP History Paper 1 skills, helping students practise how to interpret sources, explain evidence and form balanced judgements.
What students will learn
Students will:
- Understand the scale and causes of displacement in Europe after 1945
- Explain why Germany and Austria became centres for displaced persons
- Identify how DP camps functioned as a response to displacement
- Analyse sources to identify purpose, limitations and perspectives
- Explain how conditions in DP camps affected displaced persons
- Evaluate the effectiveness and limitations of DP camps using evidence
What’s included
- Student worksheet with structured content and guiding questions
- Source A (UNRRA report) and Source B (Bergen-Belsen report) for analysis
- Source C (first-hand testimony) to explore perspectives
- Short video link for deeper understanding
- Short-answer and extended response questions aligned to Paper 1
- Teacher answer guidance page with clear, accurate responses
Curriculum alignment
This resource is particularly useful for:
- IB DP History – Paper 1 (Sources and Perspectives)
- 2026 Focused Study: Conflict and Displacement
- Inquiry Question: National and international responses to displacement
This lesson helps students build a strong foundation in analysing sources and understanding post-war displacement, while giving teachers a ready-to-use, structured resource. Displaced Persons Camps in Germany and Austria (1945–1960) supports both content knowledge and exam skills in one clear, engaging lesson.
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Resource Information
| Description: | Student activities include analysing authentic sources, answering structured Paper 1-style questions, and evaluating the effectiveness and limitations of DP camps using evidence from the worksheet. |
| Estimated lessons: | 1-2. |
| Ages | 16 years +. |
| Format | PDF. |
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