This worksheet allows students to use a primary source document to learn about Nuremburg War Trials and the Holocaust.

This activity is very easy to use. All you have to do is print off the primary source from the following website for classroom use or direct students to the website to answer the worksheet questions:

The primary source document is labeled (The Sentencing and Execution of Nazi War Criminals, 1946)

Students read the document and answer the questions on the worksheet. The worksheet includes 12 questions and has an answer sheet for the teacher. The worksheet can be used to generate classroom discussion or be used as homework. Feel free to modify this assignment as needed for your classes.

Thanks,

The History Wizard

Name: ______Hour:______

Use complete sentences as you answer questions from the following website.

The Sentencing and Execution of Nazi War Criminals, 1946

  1. In what German city were Nazi War Criminals tried? How many people were tried?
  1. What were the four main criminal charges at the trial?
  1. How did the defendants view the international court?
  1. How many of the defendants were found guilty? How many were acquitted?
  1. What was Dr. G. M. Gilbert’s profession? Why was he so familiar with the Nazi defendants?
  1. Why was Goering glad he got a death sentence instead of a life sentence?
  1. How did Albert Speer view his punishment?
  1. On what date were the prisoners executed? How long did it take?
  1. What did Herman Goering do before his execution?
  1. How did most of the Nazi act before they were executed?
  1. Why was Herman Goering’s body brought out after the executions?

12.Do you think the Nuremburg Trials helped bring justice to victims of Holocaust, or is it impossible to bring justice to the victims of the Holocaust? Explain!

Teacher Answer Sheet

Use complete sentences as you answer questions from the following website.

The Sentencing and Execution of Nazi War Criminals, 1946

  1. In what German city were Nazi War Criminals tried? How many people were tried?

Twenty-one Nazis were on trial in Nuremburg, Germany.

  1. What were the four main criminal charges at the trial?

The four main criminal charges included the murder of over 6 million Jews, pursuing an aggressive war, the brutality of the concentration camps and the use of slave labor.

  1. How did the defendants view the international court?

They did not think the court had the authority to pass judgment.

  1. How many of the defendants were found guilty? How many were acquitted?

Eighteen of the defendants were found guilty and three were acquitted.

  1. What was Dr. G. M. Gilbert profession? Why was he so familiar with the Nazi defendants?

Dr. G.M. Gilbert was a prison psychologist. He had to monitor all of their behaviors.

  1. Why was Goering glad he got a death sentence instead of a life sentence?

Goering thought he would become a martyr for the German cause.

  1. How did Albert Speer view his punishment?

Speer thought his punishment was just.

  1. On what date were the prisoners executed? How long did it take?

The prisoners were executed on October 16, 1946. The executions took three and half hours.

  1. What did Herman Goering do before his execution?

Herman Goering committed suicide.

  1. How did most of the Nazi act before they were executed?

Answers will vary, but many seemed proud.

  1. Why was Herman Goering’s body brought out after the executions?

Herman Goering’s body was brought out to show that he was dead.

  1. Do you think the Nuremburg Trials helped bring justice to victims of Holocaust, or is it impossible to bring justice to the victims of the Holocaust? Explain!

Answers will vary.