Differing Intentions of the Allies
Despite conflicting original opinions, the Allies ultimately constructed the Nuremberg Trials in an effort to provide a liberal system for bringing justice to the victims of Nazi crimes, as well as to spread their legal ideologies internationally.
British Option: Summary Execution
Prime Minister Churchill and other English officials advocated for summary execution, saying
"It is quite clear that all concerned...should be put to death." British Foreign Secretary, Anthony Eden said, "The guilt of such individuals... is so black that they fall outside... any judicial process."
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Soviet Option: Show Trial
Why show trial and not summary execution? They wanted to publicly display guilt of accused.
The Two American Options
The Morgenthau Plan
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Instead of the Morgenthau Plan, the second American option was chosen by the Allies.
Bernays Plan
Bernays Plan
WHY?
1. Fair Trials would leave no question of guilt
2. Most liberal option --Americans pushed for it due to the responsibility they felt to spread liberal values
3. WWII was a war of ideologies, a fair trial is consistent with America's democratic ideology
4. Other options would betray the ideal of restoring democracy to Germany
5. Opportunity to be a role model for the future of international justice
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