Reassessing the Nuremberg Military Tribunals

For decades the history of the US Military Tribunals at Nuremberg (NMT) has been eclipsed by the first Nuremberg trial—the International Military Tribunal or IMT. The dominant interpretation—neatly summarized in the ubiquitous formula of “Subsequent Trials”—ignores the unique historical and legal character of the NMT trials, which differed significantly from that of their predecessor. The NMT trials marked a decisive shift both in terms of analysis of the Third Reich and conceptualization of international criminal law. This volume is the first comprehensive examination of the NMT and brings together diverse perspectives from the fields of law, history, and political science, exploring the genesis, impact, and legacy of the twelve Military Tribunals held at Nuremberg between 1946 and 1949.

Kim C. Priemel is Assistant Professor of History at Humboldt University Berlin, Germany.

Alexa Stiller is Research Associate at the Department of Modern History and Contemporary History, University of Berne, Switzerland.

Kim C. Priemel is Assistant Professor of History at Humboldt University Berlin, Germany.

“This work consisting of ten interrelated essays edited by two European historians is a real gem… A must read for all those interested in the development of international law. Highly recommended.” · Choice

“…the essays in Reassessing the Nuremberg Military Tribunals open up new paths of investigation for scholars and students alike. The collection covers a range of topics related to the Nuremberg Military Tribunal and presents ambitious arguments about its influence upon the political culture of the German Federal Republic, the historiography of the Third Reich, and the theory and practice of transitional justice. While these arguments are not always persuasive, they are consistently suggestive and certain to inspire further research and discussion.” · Journal of Modern History

“Priemel and Stiller have put together a fine collection, which is thoughtfully laid out, flows smoothly from one essay to the next and stays focused on exploring the legacy of the Nuremberg Military Tribunals.” · English Historical Review

“The contributors redefine the legacy of the trials, viewing the testimony, prosecution, and public representation as firmly embedded in Western culture. Solidly researched, these articles revisit many themes already present in the literature.” · Holocaust and Genocide Studies

“Overall this convincing volume offers rich material and innovative approaches.” · Historische Zeitschrift

“One of this volume’s outstanding contributions is its elucidation of the massive and often lamentable impact that the strategies employed by both the prosecution and defense counsel in Nuremberg courtroom had on early understandings if Nazi criminality… Taken together, the exemplary essays in this volume successfully resurrect the Nuremberg Military Tribunals and illustrate their central role both in molding interpretations of the Third Reich and laying the foundations for modern international criminal law… They represent a considerable step toward to the proper integration of the NMT into the historiography of the Third Reich and postwar justice.” · The American Historical Review

“This collection impresses with its versatility and the wide spectrum covered by the texts. Another merit of the publication is the fact that it brings to light aspects that have been totally neglected by researchers so far.” · Perspectivia.net

“…an excellent collection… that fills a massive lacuna in the literature. This is the first edited collection on the NMT trials, and there have been very few articles and chapters dedicated to the trials written by scholars, as opposed to participants in the trials themselves.” · Kevin Jon Heller, Melbourne Law School

“…a timely and important book… The editors have chosen contributors who are real experts in the field… it is a rarity to see a volume that includes scholars from both sides of the Atlantic; I cannot stress enough the value of this kind of cross fertilization, both for students and other scholars. It is refreshing to see such a fruitful collaboration between European and North American scholars.” · Rebecca Wittmann, University of Toronto