How did policies of assimilation affect national minorities in central and eastern Europe between the world wars?

Following World War I, the redrawing of borders in central and eastern Europe based on the principle of national self-determination resulted in the creation of new states that contained significant national minorities.12

Although these states were required to sign treaties guaranteeing the civil rights of all citizens regardless of ethnicity, these protections were rarely fully realized. Instead, governments in the region frequently adopted policies aimed at the assimilation of these minority groups.12

These assimilationist efforts were driven by a nationalist desire to align the state with a single national identity, often leading to:

• Increased Tensions: The pressure to assimilate created friction between the dominant majority and minority groups, who often felt marginalized or dissatisfied with the regime.2
• Political Instability: The failure to accommodate diverse groups through adequate social and cultural provisions contributed to internal instability, as minorities often sought greater autonomy or independence.2
• International Conflict: These domestic tensions were exacerbated by the fact that some states also sought to reunite with their ethnic kin living across borders, a dynamic that increased the risk of violent conflict and international war.2

Ultimately, the attempt to force assimilation proved to be a destabilizing force in the interwar period, as it failed to reconcile the diverse ethnic realities of the region with the rigid ideal of the nation-state.2