Facing an «invasion of undesirables»: The worsening of The Restrictions on Entering Portugal: From The Annexation of Austria Until The End of Legal Emigration From Nazi Germany

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Abstract

This article analyses the range of measures enacted by Portuguese diplomacy and the political police force to prevent the arrival of refugees, whether from Germany or other Nazi occupied countries. While, up until November 1938, German citizens, including German Jews, were free to enter the country for a period of up to 30 days, the outbreak of World War Two brought about a series of restrictions enacted with but one objective: keep Jewish refugees out of Portugal. Based on the case of two sisters, Flora and Bela Rothschild, this article approaches the true significance of these restrictions through conveying the effects of a purely legalistic policy on the lives of human beings.

O presente artigo analisa as várias medidas tomadas pela diplomacia e polícia política portuguesa para impedir a entrada de refugiados provenientes da Alemanha e dos países ocupados pelo exército nazi. Enquanto que, até novembro de 1938, qualquer cidadão alemão, incluindo judeus de nacionalidade alemã, poderia entrar no país livremente e ficar por 30 dias, o início da Segunda Guerra Mundial provoca uma série de restrições que visavam um objectivo único: manter Portugal livre de refugiados judeus. A partir do caso das duas irmãs Flora e Bela Rothschild, este artigo confronta-nos com o verdadeiro significado dessas restrições, mostrando os efeitos de uma política puramente legalista sobre a vida do ser humano.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)10-24
Number of pages15
JournalNação e Defesa
Issue number149
Publication statusPublished - 2018

Keywords

  • Portuguese diplomacy
  • World War Two
  • Flora and Bela Rothschild
  • Jewish refugees
  • Nazi Germany

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