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| The Nuremberg War Crime Trials were held between 1945 to 1949. However, the most famous trials at Nuremberg were those of the major war criminals and these were held from November 20th, 1945 to October 1st, 1946. The trials at Nuremberg held after these dates were for the so-called lesser war criminals. As the war reached its end in 1945, the Allies had become aware of appalling atrocities that had taken place in Eastern Europe - what was later called the Holocaust. The outrage caused by these appalling discoveries led to a clamour amongst the Allies that those responsible should be brought to account along with those in the Nazi hierarchy who had waged war in general. After initial disagreements with regards to how the Allies should punish those responsible for war crimes, President Truman gave his full support for a judicial process whereby those arrested would stand trial in public for the allegations made against them. Those men on trial would be given the opportunity to defend themselves. The legal basis for the trial was established by the 'London Charter' which was issued on August 8th, 1945. This charter restricted the first trials to major war criminals from the Axis nations only. Therefore, allegations of Allied war crimes could not be heard. The court could only hear allegations of war crimes from September 1st, 1939 on. The legal jurisdiction of the court came from the 'Instrument of Surrender of Germany' which had transferred political authority over Germany to the Allied Control Council which was given sovereign power over Germany. The city of Nuremberg was chosen for the trials of the 'major war criminals'. Nuremberg had witnessed the infamous Nazi Party rallies and by holding the trials there, it would emphasise the party's end. Also the large Palace of Justice had been largely undamaged by Allied bombing and it contained a large prison within its complex. The first trials at Nuremberg were for 24 senior Nazis. The International Military Tribunal formulated four indictments, all or some of which were made against all 24 men. The four indictments were: 1) Participation in a common plan or conspiracy for the accomplishment of crime against peace. 2) Planning, initiating and waging wars of aggression and other crime against peace. 3) War Crimes 4) Crimes against humanity.
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