The Nuremberg TrialsWar Crimes Essay Research Paper

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The Nuremberg Trials/War Crimes Essay, Research Paper 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 leader. He became the leader of the Nazi movement in Austria, then became governor of Austria after it was taken over by Germany. Soon after he was made the deputy governor of Poland which was occupied by Germany. Shortly after, he was made the Reich commissioner of Netherlands. Arthur von Seyss-Inquart was the Reich commissioner for five years before being hanged. Alfred

Rosenberg (1893-1946) was a German political leader and the educator of Nazi youth. Later in his life he directed a philosophical outlook for the Third Reich. He was made minister for the East in 1941. He was later hanged for war crimes in October 1946. Erich Raeder (1876-1960) was the commander-in-chief of the German Navy from 1935-43. Erich Raeder was the naval adviser to Hitler and head of the naval service to combat the Allied invasion. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for war crimes in October 1946, but was released due to ill health. While in prison Erich wrote many books. Karl Doenitz (1891-1980) was a German submarine expert and was made commander-in-chief of the German Navy in 1943 after Erich Raeder. Karl succeeded Hitler and made fuhrer in May 1945. About one year

later he was imprisoned for war crimes in 1946-56, and while in prison wrote a book called ‘Memoris’. Wilhem Keitel (1882-1946) was a German army officer that was also made commander-in-chief of German armed forces in 1938. Wilhem was one of the more notable people who signed the World War II surrender in 1945. Wilhem was hanged for war crimes in 1946. Martin Bormann (1900-45?) was the German head of the Nazi party during most of World War II and a very powerful associate of Adolf Hitler. He was imprisoned in 1924 for participation in a politically-motivated murder. Although he was suppose to be in prison for a long period of his life he joined the Nazi party and was easily released from prison. He was a major advocate of the extermination of many Jews. Although he wasn’t