Nuremberg Remembered Documentary: A Series of Three Lessons

The Nuremberg trials, held from 1945 to 1949, were a galvanizing moment in history, international law, and human rights. This documentary about the trials combines archival footage and modern-day interviews with trial participants who served in a variety of roles, including members of the legal team for the prosecution and a journalist reporting on the events for the press. Some of these people include Sally Falk Moore, Ernest Michel, Bernard Meltzer, Benjamin Ferencz, and Richard Sonnenfeldt.

This set of three lessons is designed to accompany the 12-minute documentary Nuremberg Remembered. Using these lessons along with the documentary will introduce teachers and their students to the essential questions of judgment and responsibility that were initially posed at the end of World War II and continue to be raised in the twenty-first century.

The three lessons can be used as a set or, if time is limited, a teacher may select parts from the three lessons. Extension activities and resources at the end of the lessons provide ideas and activities for more in-depth study of judgment, past and present. Also, these lessons provide a bridge to the Facing History online module "Transitional Justice" deals with how societies come to some sort of healing and closure after the rupture of genocide or massive violation of human rights.These lessons were made possible in part by funds granted by the Charles H. Revson Foundation. The statements made and the views expressed, however, are solely the responsibility of Facing History and Ourselves.