Aristides De Sousa Mendes - Resistance Against Nazi Forces

1. Summary background of Mendes.

Aristides de Sousa Mendes was born on 19. July 1885 in Cabanas de Viriato, Portugal. His family had an aristocratic origin. Mendes' father was a judge and his twin brother was to become a Foreign Minister. Mendes was married to Angelina and had 14 children. He graduated the University of Coimbra and he studied law. He was a Portuguese diplomat and was in consulate of Bordeaux in France last. He had a Rabbi friend called Chaim Kruger and was inspired by him to save the targets of Nazis. He stamped visas for refugees and Jews for entering Portugal during 16-23. June 1994. He saved over 30,000 refugees including 12,000 Jews. He lost his job and was put on the black list so he couldn't have any job in Portugal. Jewish Refugee Agency aided Mendes and his family food and the house rent fee, but he died of poverty on 3. April 1954.

2, Analysis of Mendes's act of resistance.

Mendes' act of resistance does not seem to oppose the identity profile I charted. He