What do you know about the Nuremberg Trials? We didn't know very much but today that changed.
 |
| The courtroom today |
 |
| Our group looking at the original courtroom layout (left) and courtroom as it appears in 2024 (right) |
The London Agreement of 1945 set forth the authority to hold these trials as of August 8, 1945. Former Nazi leaders were indicted and tried for four possible counts:
1. crimes against peace
2. crimes against humanity
3. war crimes
4. a "common plan or conspiracy to commit" the criminal acts listed in items 1-3.
The trials were held in Nuremberg between October 18, 1945 and October 1, 1946 and were adjudicated by the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and France for crimes that had no particular location. To get a conviction, agreement between three of the four nations had to be reached.
Of the 24 defendants, three were acquitted. One, Herman Goring, committed suicide prior to his scheduled execution date. Four organizations were also ruled as criminal: the SS, SD, Gestapo, and the leadership corps of the Nazi party.
 |
| Hans Frank was allowed to wear sunglasses because he complained of the bright camera lights. |
The U.S. Chief Prosecutor of Nuremberg Trials was Robert H Jackson, who had been nominated to the Supreme Court by President F D Roosevelt. He was responsible for the International Military Tribunal's legal basis.
After the Nuremberg trials were complete, there were 12 additional trials for those lower-level perpetrators accused of crimes related to the Holocaust. These were convened by the United States only and were coordinated by type of crime.
 |
| Example of one of the subsequent trials, for the Commander and members of SS-1. |
With all the provocations and terrors and punishments meted out in concentration camps, it was amazing that so few people were put on trial and convicted.
But now we will proceed to the other side of Nuremberg.
THE RALLY PARTY GROUNDS
AND DOCUMENTATION CENTER
Around the time Dachau was opened to receive political prisoners, Hitler began a project to bring great attention to the National Socialist German Workers' Party on the outskirts of Nuremberg. A massive property with several projects was to be built. These included properties to:
1. impress with their massive size
2. cue people with religious symbolism
3. connect with thoughts of ancient empires
and to do all this while excluding others. In other words, all eyes were to be on Hitler during these rallies.
The grounds, covering 11 square kilometers, were used 1933-1938. The start of World War Two paused the party's efforts permanently.
 |
| View from a distance: this was Congress Hall of the Rally Grounds. Situated on a lake was ideal for showing off the size, as a reflection made it look twice as large. |
 |
| Massive cathedral ceilings made of colorful granite plates certainly elicited thoughts of religious symbolism both in the 1930s and among our group as we approached the Rally Grounds. |
 |
| Exterior: each doorway measures five meters (16 feet) tall. |
 |
| Interior: it reminded us of the Roman Coliseum. |
 |
| A massive panoramic photograph reminded us how much of an ego Hitler had. |
 |
| The Great Road, which is 1.2 miles long, was never used for its intended purpose as a parade route. To the right side of this photograph, Hitler was planning to add the largest stadium in the world, where he expected to host every Olympics moving forward. At the far end was the Participants' Camp, where marching participants and later Olympians would overnight. |
 |
| Several of us were reminded of the Brooklyn Bridge, viewing the bridge at the top left of this poster. |
 |
| The last note on the bottom card is very interesting. |