The Nuremberg Trial

The Nuremberg Trial was also called the Trial of the Century. Later trials, such as the Yugoslavia tribunal in The Hague, were also held. Here, too, war criminals were convicted of their crimes against humanity. In 5 questions, I briefly explain to you the Nuremberg Trial.

What was the reason for the trial?

On April 30, 1945, Adolf Hitler, then leader of Germany, committed suicide in his bunker in Berlin. This marked the end of his “Third Reich. In early May, key Nazi leaders signed the surrender, and with it the war in Europe was over. But it became increasingly clear, with the liberation of concentration camps such as Auschwitz and Dachau, that something very terrible had taken place here.

Human degrading conditions, the death of 6 million Jews in camps and the damage in Europe was the result of more than 5 years of war. More than 55 million people perished. But who was responsible for that now that Hitler had taken his own life? A “manhunt” was underway to track down “wrong” people and bring them to justice.

Who were convicted?

Unfortunately, some important leaders managed to flee to Argentina and Chile, among other places. The most famous of these was Josef Mengele. He was Auschwitz’s most notorious doctor and was nicknamed the “Angel of Death“. As the camp’s doctor, he sent people to the gas chamber and selected people for medical experiments. Mengele died of cardiac arrest in the swimming pool on Feb. 7, 1979. His death was not officially confirmed until 1992.

But fortunately, the Nuremberg Trial did result in the conviction of many Nazis. Of these, 24 are known to have actually made “decisions. The most famous of these was Herman Göring, Hitler’s deputy and one of his chief ministers. Others convicted included Rudolf Hess (Reich Minister without portfolio), Joachim van Ribbentrop (Reich Minister of Foreign Affairs), Wilhelm Keitel (Reich Minister of War) and Albert Speer, Hitler’s architect.

Although these leaders received the most attention in the trial, thousands more Nazis were convicted over the years. In addition, other leaders, including Heinrich Himmler (responsible for the concentration camps) and Josef Goebbels, Minister of Propaganda had committed suicide before the trial and thus avoided the trial. Adolf Eichmann, among others responsible for the mass murder of millions of Jews was kidnapped by the Israeli secret service in Argentina in 1961 and sentenced to death after a trial in Israel.

Why the trial at the Palace of Justice in Nuremberg?

After World War II, the Allies began looking for a location to try Nazi leaders. The United States, Russia, France and the United Kingdom had to discuss among themselves where the trial could take place. This mainly involved the practical part. After all, all countries needed interpreters and staff to cover the trial and sort out all the crimes. And a location was difficult enough, because what city wasn’t in ruins at the time?

In the end, the Palace of Justice in Nuremberg was chosen. Although the old city center was largely destroyed, the Palace of Justice was still standing on its foundations. This choice, by the way, has nothing to do with the history of the Nazis in the city. Indeed, this is where the Nazi Party days were held and this is where the Nuremberg Racial Laws came into being. But the choice of Nuremberg was purely practical: could all these people do their work here? So yes!

Reading tip: Visiting the area where the Nazi Party days were once held? In the article Discover the 23 places of the Nazi Party Rally Grounds you can read all about it!

How did the trial go?

In total, the trial lasted more than 200 days. The convictions were determined based on 4 crimes: conspiracy, crimes against peace, crimes against humanity and war crimes. And to figure all that out took a lot of manpower. And on what basis was it determined whether you did something not under duress (Befehl ist Befehl), or of your own free will? Plenty to determine about, in other words.

Chief prosecutor of the Nuremberg Trial was American Robert Jackson. He was appointed by U.S. President Truman to ensure that everyone would not escape punishment. He regularly stood face to face with Herman Göring, who spoke most often for the condemned. Göring indicated his innocence on the issues the chief prosecutors felt he was responsible for. Guilty of the persecution of Jews, looting of countless art treasures and exploitation of the occupied territories.

What was the verdict?

The prosecutors took a long time to study all the documents. Hitler had ordered the destruction of all information, but fortunately that did not succeed. This allowed a verdict on the crimes of all 24 Nazi leaders based on the many sources. And that verdict was not lenient.

Of the 24 convicted, 12 received the death penalty, including Herman Göring, Wilhelm Keitel and Joachim van Ribbentrop. 3 were acquitted because it could not be established that they made decisions. And the rest received prison sentences. For example, Rudolf Hess, already imprisoned in 1941 received a life sentence. He died by suicide in Spandau prison in 1989. Albert Speer, Hitler’s architect, received 20 years in prison.

The execution of the death sentences took place on Oct. 16, 1946, in the gymnasium of the Nuremberg prison, where they resided. Herman Göring managed to take his own life the day before and thus still escaped his sentence. The other convicts were given death by hanging and afterwards the bodies were cremated. The ashes of the bodies were scattered on the river Isar. In the years that followed, thousands more Nazis received their sentences, either imprisonment or death.

Visiting the Palace of Justice and Saal 600 yourself?

As you have probably figured out by now, you can discover an eventful piece of history here. Still, it is definitely advisable to visit the Palace of Justice. After all, it was really about the Trial of the Century. Inside the Palace, you can visit Saal 600 and the museum.

Saal 600: This is the infamous hall and definitely a must visit. Only then will you see that it was not that big at all. How could all those people fit in the hall? Note: Saal 600 is still in use, so check the website for more information on opening hours.

The museum: above you already got a brief explanation about the Nuremberg Trial. But be sure to visit this informative museum, as it explains the entire trial from head to toe.

Practical information – Palace of Justice

Opening hours: Closed on Tuesdays, the rest of weekdays from 9 to 6. On weekends from 10 to 6.
Ticket price: 6 euros per person
Website

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