Introduction
The time following World War II is considered one of the most significant because war criminals were brought to justice and held accountable. The Nuremberg Trials were a set of trials that took place in the 1940s and aimed to bring Nazi Germany’s government leaders to justice for their involvement in the Holocaust and other World War II criminal acts (Finch 22). The trials were significant not only in terms of the historical context in which they occurred but also in terms of their larger implications. Thus, the larger significance of the Nuremberg Trials is establishing international law and promoting human rights.
Outcomes of the Nuremberg Trials
One of the most significant outcomes of the Nuremberg Trials was the establishment of international law as it relates to war crimes and criminal acts against humanity. Before the trials, no established body of international law governed the prosecution of individuals for these types of crimes (Finch 24). The trials aided in establishing the idea that people might be held responsible for their deeds even if they were following orders from a military or governmental authority (Finch 24).
Another significant outcome was the promotion of human rights on an international level. The trials highlighted the atrocities committed by the Nazi regime and the need for universal human rights protection (Finch 27). The trials also helped establish the principle that individuals are responsible for protecting human rights in periods of warfare or conflict (Finch 27). The legacy of the Nuremberg Trials can still be felt over half a century after they occurred. The trials helped establish that individuals can be held accountable for their actions, even when following orders from military or government authorities.
Conclusion
Hence, the Nuremberg Trials are more relevant to the development of international law and the advancement of human rights. The development of international law regarding war crimes and crimes against humanity was among the most important results of the Nuremberg Trials. A key result was the creation of international legal standards for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Additionally, the trials played an essential role in advancing human rights worldwide.
Work Cited
Finch, George A. “The Significance of the Nuremberg Trials.” Proceedings of the Section of International and Comparative Law, 1946, pp. 22-28. Web.