Nuremberg Trials

From November 1945 to October 1946, an International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany, tried 22 major Nazi leaders for war crimes, crimes against peace, and crimes against humanity. The trials, conducted by judges from the U.S., Britain, France, and the Soviet Union, established that individuals could be held personally responsible for atrocities, even when acting under government orders. Twelve defendants were sentenced to death, seven received prison sentences, and three were acquitted. The Nuremberg Trials set important precedents for international law and inspired the creation of the International Criminal Court. They established that "following orders" is not a valid defense for committing atrocities.