His Early Life
Born August 4, 1912 in Stockholm, Sweden. His father died 3 months before his birth, leaving his mother (Mai Wising) a 21 year old widow. Raoul's grandparents also helped in bringing him up.
Raoul's Wealthy Family
All of Raoul's family was extremely wealthy including his aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, and mother and father. They owned the largest bank in Sweden. It was obvious that young Raoul would someday become a banker.
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School Days |
In his school days Raoul was a top student. He studied Russian, art, (which were his favorite) architecture, banking, foreign languages, international trade, and law. In 1930 he graduated from a public high school with top grades in Russian and art. After high school he got into the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in the year 1931.
Love For Traveling
In 1933 he returned to Sweden. Raoul had developed a love for traveling. He then, in 1934-1935, traveled to South America. By 1936 Raoul was ready to return home. He worked for Koloman Lauer in the Central European Trading Company during the early months. Around late summer in 1936 Raoul moved to Haifa, Palestine where he worked the Holland Bank.
Raoul Hears About The Jews
Working there was a dream come true for Raoul Wallenberg. He met many German refugees who told him about the Jews. They inspired him to save the Jews. He became business partners with Koloman Lauer, is old boss from the trading company. Koloman was a Hungarian Jew, and Raoul liked to brag that his grandmother's grandfather was one of the first Jews in Sweden. They joined the Jewish Committee in Sweden together.
Hitler's Plans
In the year 1943 the Germans lost the Battle of Stalingrad. Hitler's plans for the Jews started March 19, 1944 with the depuration of Jews. In May 1944 there were still around 700,000 Jews. then they were forced to where the Star of David on there arm or chest.
Saving The Jews
Raoul was assigned to Budapest during Word War II. From May 14 to July 18 he saved 100,000 out of 230,000 Jews. Armed with only courage, determination, and imagination he brought people back form death marches and death trains. He saved millions by bluffing, issuing special passports, bribing guards and officials, and interceding wherever possible. How easy. Raoul used Sweden passports (called the Schultz-Pass) to smuggle as many Jews out of and other Hitler foes into Sweden. Raoul bought many buildings called Yellow Star Buildings (because of the markings on them). He also set up clinics, soup kitchens, and children's shelters. Over all of his buildings he flew a Sweden flag or other neutral flags. He hired up to 400 Jews as his staff. They worked 24 hour shifts. Raoul rarely got over 4 hours of sleep. His employees were able to take off their badges and wander around the city and bring back information on the events outside the buildings.
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Adolf Eichmann |
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Raoul had many face-to-face accounts with Adolf Eichmann who threatened to arrest him every time. On one occasion in January of 1945 he heard of Adolf's plan of massacre in the largest ghetto. He sent an ally, Szalay, to find General Schmidthuber of the German Army in Hungary. He was the only one who could stop the slaughter. Szalay sent a note to Schmidthuber telling the general that if he would be responsible for the massacre and be hung as a war criminal at the end of the war. The general canceled his orders at the last minute. More than 120,000 Jews were saved. |
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Pleas From The World |
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Many people begged him to go home and to stop risking his life. Raoul just ignored their pleas. He sated "I could never return to Stockholm without the knowledge that I have done every thing in human power to save as many Humans as possible." |
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How Did He Die? |
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In late January of 1945 at the age of 33, Raoul was arrested by the Arrow Cross in Budapest and disappeared into the Soviet Union. After that he was taken to a death camp. The exact one is unknown. He was killed in a gas chamber. Other resources disagree. |
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His Awards From Around The World |
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In 1891 President Ronald Reagan approved a special Act of Congress award making him a honorary U.S. citizen. Only one other man received this award. He was also a honorary citizen of Canada and Israel. On April 24, 1997 over 96 million stamps were made in his honor. |
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His Many Names |
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Throughout Raoul's life time he had many names. His full name was Raoul Gustau Wallenberg. Neighbors called him Mr. Berg. And throughout the world as the "Angel of Rescue" and the "Righteous Gentile." |
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Raoul's Achievements |
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When Raoul started helping the Jews he was only 28. When he was captured he was only 33. He devoted the majority of his life to saving Jews. Thousands were saved because of one person- Raoul Wallenberg. |
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Rachelle Ann Brown |
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7th Grade Rossville Jr. High |
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Spring 2001 |