Nuremberg Trials: Justice Against Nazi War Crimes
The International Military Tribunal opened in Nuremberg on November 20, 1945, charging 24 senior Nazi leaders with conspiracy, crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The concept of crimes against humanity was new to international law. The defendants included Hermann Goering, Rudolf Hess, Albert Speer, and Joachim von Ribbentrop. The trial lasted 11 months. The prosecution presented 4,000 documents and showed footage from liberated concentration camps that shocked the courtroom and the world. Twelve defendants were sentenced to death, seven received prison terms, and three were acquitted. Goering swallowed cyanide hours before his scheduled execution. The Nuremberg principles established that 'following orders' is not a defense for atrocities and that heads of state can be held personally accountable, foundations of modern international criminal law.
November 20, 1945
81 years ago
Key Figures & Places
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