Aristides de Sousa Mendes is one of the most well known human beings in multiple nations across the world. He has an eminently important value in the lives of many for several centuries. It is safe to assume that the thought of Sousa Mendes will most definitely be around for a long time and will continue to have a great impact on many lives. He is considered to be one of the greatest heroes of World War II. Sousa Mendes was originally in charge of the Portuguese Consulate in Bordeaux in the year 1940. He may be described predominantly as one who is dedicated to career diplomat. The capitulation of France prompted thousands of refugees, including Jews, to flee south of the northern part of France, with the main goal of crossing France’s …show more content…
British citizens were then permitted to get visas. Around 30,00 refugees, including 10,000 of them being Jews, applied much pressure to the Portuguese consulate in Bordeaux in order to obtain the paper that would extricate them from France. While Sousa Mendes was a devout and cordial Christian, he saw the horrid plight of the refugees, and managed to disobey the clear-cut instructions of his government. He acquired a delegation of refugees at the consulate which was managed by Rabbi Haim Kruger, and guaranteed transit to everyone in need. He was exceptional in the way that those who could not pay the fees of the visa would collect all of the document with no charge. Sousa Mendes strived for three nights and three days to issue entrance permits to several Jews with the help of his two sons. Sousa Mendes eventually issued 1,576 visas. Once talk of Sousa Mendes’ actions reached Libson, he was ordered to return to home. Once escorted home, he was dismissed from his position in Foreign Ministry, leaving him impoverished and incapable of supporting his large family containing 13 children. Sousa Mendes died bankrupt in 1954. Thanks to the great effort put in by him children, in 1988 the government granted him