These were a series of military tribunals held by the Allied forces after World War II, most notably for the prosecution of prominent members of the political, military, and economic leadership of Nazi Germany. They are significant in legal history for establishing the principle of individual accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes against peace, even when committed under orders from a superior. For example, high-ranking Nazi officials were tried for their roles in the Holocaust and aggressive war planning.
The proceedings are historically important because they set a precedent for international criminal law and human rights. They demonstrated that individuals could be held responsible for actions during wartime, regardless of their official positions. The trials contributed to the development of international legal norms and institutions aimed at preventing future atrocities. Furthermore, they served as a form of denazification and a reckoning with the horrors of the Nazi regime, helping to shape post-war Germany and Europe.
