Ratlines were a system of escape routes for
Nazis and other
fascists fleeing
Europe at the end of
World War II. These escape routes mainly led toward havens in
South America, particularly
Argentina,
Paraguay,
Brazil,
Uruguay,
Chile, and
Bolivia. Other destinations included the
United States,
Great Britain,
Canada and the
Middle East. There were two primary routes: the first went from Germany to Spain, then Argentina; the second from Germany to Rome to
Genoa, then South America; the two routes "developed independently" but eventually came together to collaborate.