The Nuremberg Trials/War Crimes

The Nuremberg Trials/War Crimes

The Nuremberg Trials


War crimes, in practice, are offenses charged against the losers of the
war by victor.   During WW II there were three types of war crimes were
committed by Germany.   The first:   crimes against peace, which included
preparing for and starting a war of aggression in violation of treaties.   The
second:   murder, ill treatment, the killing of hostages; plunder of public or
private property; the destruction of cities and towns.   The third:   crimes
against humanity, which include persecution on racial, political, or religious
grounds either before or during a war.   All of these violations were raised on
Germany's actions.

Trials of the Nazi leaders begun on October 18, 1945, and lasted for 10
months.   Trials of Japanese leaders began on May 3, 1946 in Tokyo and
ended on November 12, 1948.   There were more than 2,000 lesser trials
accusing Nazi leaders of wrong doing.   Even more took place in the Soviet
Union.   Most of the war criminals were convicted, and many were also
executed.

The Nuremberg Trials, one of the more substantial trials, accused 22
German Nazi leaders of war crimes.   Altogether 12 were sentenced to death,
including Keitel, Ribbentrop, Rosenberg, Bromann (who was tried in
absentia), and Goering (who committed suicide).   Only three, including Hess
were given life sentences.   Just four, including Doenitz and Speer were
sentenced to up to 20 years of prison.   Amazingly, three including Papen and
Schacht were acquitted.   These trials brought some anger and sadness.   The
prosecution took almost four months to present their case to the jury.

Each man who was being tried was a major part of the whole Nazi
power.   Albert Speer (1905-81) was a German architect and public official
who became Hitler's number one architect.   Albert devised a system of slave
labor which showed in the concentration camps.   Albert served 20 years in
prison.

Arthur von Seyss-Inquart (1892-1946), was a German political...