Learning From History #2 - NUREMBERG TRIALS 1945-1949
Over the past few years I have been very concerned that the world is repeating history. I know that many parts of the history that we are teaching our younger generation has been watered down and even outright twisted into a falsehood. This "history tweaking" is happening just because the truth might "offend" someone. I know for a fact that this history twisting has happened because many of my family members lived through and remember World War II.
In this series we are going to study the difficult parts of history that might have recently, intentionally or unintentionally been overlooked.
Clarification/Disclaimer - I hesitated to include a disclaimer because this might do the very thing that I am trying to avoid - candy-coat history and thereby not tell the whole truth. The information below is a brief summary of the Nuremberg Trials after WWII. By no means am I saying nor implying that I hate nor discriminate against any race, nationality, gender or religious group. I am also NOT condoning any behavior/action detailed in history.
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
1 John 4:1
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I don't ever remember being taught about the Nuremberg Trials in high school history class - Do you recall reviewing this topic in school? I remember clearly learning about the atrocities of the World Wars but nothing about the Nuremberg Trials. Either I have a gap in my memory or the "sensitivity" truth twisting already started in the 1980's.
Let's learn the basics today. These trials were held in Nuremberg, Germany from 1945 to 1949 with the purpose of bringing Nazi war criminals to justice. Four of the allied nations (Britain, France, Soviet Union and the United States of America) established and issued the laws and procedures for these trials on August 8, 1945.
There were 3 categories of crimes:
Crimes against peace - such as planning and waging wars of aggression, which were in violation of international agreements at that time.
War crimes - such as violating laws of war (improper treatment of civilians & prisoners of war)
Crimes against humanity - such as enslavement, deportation & even murder of civilians or persecution based on religion, race or politics.
Politicians, military officials, businesses, doctors, members of the media, lawyers are all examples of people who were indicted in these trials.
Stating "I was just doing what I was told to do by my boss" was NOT an acceptable defense.
Read the quote from Hermann Goering in the picture above and just look at the evil, smug expression on his face. Goering was convicted and was sentenced to be hanged but committed suicide the night before his execution.
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I know that it is extremely difficult to resist the mainstream, but if we see history being repeated by those around us - we can be that spark of light that shines through the darkness. Jesus' Truth shining through our actions can overpower the evilness of this world.
Learning From History Posts
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Excellent post. I too, do not recall being taught about these trials but my Mom told me. We used to talk about everything while washing and drying the dishes. I cherish those "educational moments."
ReplyDeleteI had come back to your site to grab the Tuesdays with a Twist link for my weekly post and saw this post. You are brave to post in our current society of judgment - I commend you and I will be checking out part 1 as well. I read it aloud to my husband and we both agree. He remembers being taught in HS (he graduated in 1981) but I do not (Class of 1986). Thanks for speaking your heart.
ReplyDeleteMelissa | Little Frugal Homestead