Shoes Memorial on the Danube Bank

Historical background

Read the information below. Then, answer the question.

After the Arrow Cross takeover, the lives of Jews in Budapest, over 200,000, was threatened. More than 60,000 people were forced to march towards Austria; and approximately 70,000 Jews were locked up in the Budapest ghetto. Neutral countries issued protective documents, and those who obtained such documents were crowded into so called “protected houses”. Located on the Pest side of the Danube River, close to the Margaret bridge, the area where these protected houses were established was called the "international ghetto."

When it became clear that neutral countries would not recognize the Arrow Cross government, it was not in the interest of the political leadership to maintain the protected buildings. By December, the Arrow Cross began targeting Jews who lived in the international ghetto. This resulted in torture, murder and shootings at the Danube River.


What is the purpose of personal documents (e.g. identity cards, licenses, passports)?

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