Quick Facts
Started- November 20,1945
Ended- October 1, 1949
Judges: Great Britain- Geoffrey Lawrence and Norman Birkett, America- Francis Biddle (Alternate Judge -John J. Parker,) and Carrington T. Marshall France- Robert Falco, Germany- Franz Schlegelberger, Otto Kranzbühler, Justin Woodward Harding, and William J. Wilkins Russia- Andrey Vyshinsky
Ended- October 1, 1949
Judges: Great Britain- Geoffrey Lawrence and Norman Birkett, America- Francis Biddle (Alternate Judge -John J. Parker,) and Carrington T. Marshall France- Robert Falco, Germany- Franz Schlegelberger, Otto Kranzbühler, Justin Woodward Harding, and William J. Wilkins Russia- Andrey Vyshinsky
Basic Summary
The Nuremberg Trials were held to bring Nazi war criminals to justice. They were a series of thirteen trials held from 1945-1949 and took place in Nuremberg, Germany. Those being prosecuted included Nazi criminals, high ranking officers, German doctors, lawyers, and industrialists. The charges brought up against these people were crimes against peace and crimes against humanity. The Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler, commited suicide in 1945 so he was never brought to justice. In the end 22 Nazi leaders were brought to justice on Octtober 1, 1949.
Where was the Nuremberg Trials Held?
Nuremberg Trials Day 2
Robert H. Jackson's Opening Statement
November 21, 1945
"The privilege of opening the first trial in history, for crimes against the peace of the world, imposes a great responsibility, the wrongs which we wish to condemn and punish have been so calculated, so malignant and devastating, that civilization cannot tolerate their being ignored. Because it can not survive their being repeated. That four great nations fleshed with victory and stung with injury, stay the hand of vengeance and voluntarily submit their captive enemies to the judgement of the law is one of the most significant tributes, that power has ever paid to reason. This tribunal, while it is novel and experimental is not the product of abstract speculation. Nor is it created to vindicate legalistic theories...”
Excerpt from Robert H. Jackson's opening speech in trial one, November 21, 1945
Excerpt from Robert H. Jackson's opening speech in trial one, November 21, 1945