11.+Nuremberg+Trials+and+Tokyo+Trials

Jessica Faller/ Nuremberg Trials

In the years 1945 to 1946, twenty four Nazi leaders were brought to trial in Nuremberg, Germany. They were brought up on charges of war crimes and judged by officials from the Allied nations, which were Great Britain, France, the United States and the Soviet Union (Nuremberg). Those accused were some of Hitler's most trusted advisors and party officials, they included government ministers, military leaders, and some of Germany's most powerful industrialists as well (Danzer 587). Each of the accused were brought up on these charges: conspiracy to wage an aggressive war, crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity (Rosenberg). War crimes are defined as acts against the customs of warfare, entailing the killing of hostages and prisoners, plundering of private property, and the destruction of cities (Danzer 587). All of these crimes were committed by many during the Holocaust, yet one of the biggest issues withing the trials was the matter of responsibility. Yes, the Nazis did commit these crimes, but could they be held fully responsible? It was a question of individual actions against following orders. http://www.ushmm.org/outreach/74838.htm

As for the outcome of the trials, twelve of the accused were sentenced to death, with three life sentences and shorter or no sentences for the rest (Rosenberg). However, the many of the Nazi party leaders and criminals were never sentenced or even tried in court; they avoided this by fleeing the country, or committing suicide, as did Adolf Hitler (Nuremberg). In this way, it could be said that justice was never truly served in the case of the Nuremberg trials. Yet, it proved to be one of the largest and most important set of trials in the world's history.

__Works Cited__ Danzer, Gerald A. et al. // The Americans. // Boston: McDougal Littel, 2003. “ The Nuremberg Trials”. // United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. // . 22 October 2008. Rosenberg, Jennifer. “The Accused of the Nuremberg Trial”. 2008. . 22 October 2008.