THE NUREMBERG TRIALS AND INTERNATIONAL LAW

To What Extent Did the Nuremberg Trials Affect International Law?

Nuremberg Trials Affect International Law

The trials at Nuremberg were a demonstration of the actions taken against individuals responsible for breaking international law. This essay will examine the validity of those trials as an objective means of prosecuting criminals of war. The trials set a precedence that not only could the aggressor of war be punished but also separate individuals responsible for such actions. Unlike in the First World War when an entire country could be reprimanded, the charges were laid on individual people accused of crimes. The Nazi's horrible appalling treatment of the Jews was inhumane and included such crimes as being burnt alive, hanged and tortured. Some of the German leaders accused were Ley, Hess, Goering, Fritzsche, Von Ribbentrop, Funk, Schacht, Jodl, Von Papen and Himmler. These leaders were accused of: "The Common Plan or Conspiracy which included breaking treaties, planning wars of aggression, the persecution and murder of helpless people; Crimes against Peace; War Crimes; Crimes against Humanity." The outcome of the Nuremberg trials set an example of the consequences should anyone commit the afore mentioned crimes.

In a time of war those who posses authority over the people of a country must also abide by certain laws. Not all crimes committed are petty crimes, people who possess the power to destroy any person's home must also have limitations to the evil they can do. There must be another method to reprimand those who have the power to manipulate people such as government officials, military personnel, and citizens. Nobody should have the freedom to do evil unto innocent people. The question of fairness of the victors judging the vanquished may be raised, an alternative would be to let those defeated judge themselves. "After the First World War we learned the futility of the latter course."

Barring the imprisonment of these leaders does there exist a possibility the same incidences may reoccur? The same might be asked of other countries and their leaders whose actions might possibly lead to aggressive war. However, attacks on Germany from a military standpoint were necessary to defeat further German attacks. The Allies argued, that the deaths of the citizens involved in their bombings were a small sacrifice to pay for the considerable amount of people who died at the hands of the Nazis. The Nazis were the instigators of the war and the actions taken by the Allies were in defense of those countries attacked by Germany.

There was no question that the Germans were guilty, for their plan was entirely premeditated. Hitler wrote Mein Kampf, an explanation of actions he was going to take, examples that can be regarded as preparation for war. The German takeover of Czechoslovakia and the invasion of Poland were plainly a threat of war. These actions are clearly Crimes Against Peace. Germany's War Crimes broke the treaties with other countries. Other War Crimes were the heinous treatment of prisoners, the ill-treatment of civilian population of occupied territory, ...