The
Eichmann trial was the first time the Holocaust was systematically laid-out in
front of a judicial body; witnesses were carefully chosen from all phases of
the Shoah. The huge media coverage
served to increase world awareness - young Israelis were forced to revise their
ideas of "like sheep to the slaughter"...
Historical Context:
The victors of World War II faced a daunting task when it came to
the fate of the war criminals. First of
all, what exactly would be defined as a crime?
Secondly, how would the captives be charged? And thirdly, could the victors carry out a capital sentence?
Rationale to Teach: Students will be able to apply their knowledge of the United States Constitution and its Bill of Rights to the Nuremberg Trials. In all likelihood, while recognizing the need for punishment and/or retribution from the perpetrators and their collaborators, students will be able to see that perhaps due process was not served in the trials of these criminals.
Major Topics:
1. Nuremberg Trials
a. Charges
b. Criticisms
2. Other trials
a. Eichmann
Comment: I’ve found that this unit makes for some of the best discussion of the whole survey. Students will want to get involved in the legal wranglings of the trials; despite wanting to see justice served, my classes have always hesitated to give the victors a moral endorsement. This chapter is also a good place to insert some source documents for study (see Berenbaum in the resources). Videotapes of various aspects of the trials are also good.
Resources:
Classroom notes with lines of questioning/student interaction
Assignment: Writing a defense team opening statement for perpetrators/bystanders in the Holocaust.
Berenbaum, Michael. Witness To the Holocaust, New York: Harper Collins Publishers, Inc. 1997. For the Nuremberg Trials, see pp. 327-358.
Biography: Adolf Eichmann. Videocassette. © ABC News Productions for A&E Television Network, 1997.
In Search Of: The Angel of Death Mengele. Videocassette. © Alan Landsberg Productions, Universal Television, 1978.
Back to The Holocaust: Teaching the Shoah to High School Students