"A fair society is organised so that no one suffers unduly for the benefit of others."
Post-World War II
Subsequent to the end of World War II, the "first international criminal tribunals to prosecute high-level political offices and military authorities for war crimes and other wartime atrocities", were proposed by the four major Allied governments - France, the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The major war criminals of the European Axis - seven Nazi organisations, senior Nazi political and military leaders - were prosecuted and punished in a merged trial held in Nuremberg, Germany, through the set up of the authorised 'International Military Tribunal' (IMT) by the Allied powers.
Furthermore, the Far Eastern war criminals also received punishment over a series of trials of senior Japanese and political military leaders and in accordance or 'pursuant' to a 1946 proclamation by the U.S - on the establishment of 'International Military Tribunal for the Far East' (IMTFE), created in Tokyo, Japan.
In other words, many German and Japanese leaders charged with guilt for committing crimes against humanity, were executed when brought to trial. These crimes included the brutal mistreatment and torment of prisoners-of-war, forced labour, and the Holocaust.
Furthermore, the Far Eastern war criminals also received punishment over a series of trials of senior Japanese and political military leaders and in accordance or 'pursuant' to a 1946 proclamation by the U.S - on the establishment of 'International Military Tribunal for the Far East' (IMTFE), created in Tokyo, Japan.
In other words, many German and Japanese leaders charged with guilt for committing crimes against humanity, were executed when brought to trial. These crimes included the brutal mistreatment and torment of prisoners-of-war, forced labour, and the Holocaust.
My Personal Understanding + Connection to the Big Idea
When learning about the Pacific War in history, it made me consider and reflect on the injustices of World War II (especially concerning the treatment of captured and wounded military personnel, civilians, and others in war time), and how the actions of many war criminals were responsible for bringing about the undue suffering of many individuals. Having said that, they were after, convicted for violation against rules of war - according to the Geneva Convention and international law. The following events were relevant in helping me understand how major criminals being punished for their crimes (as it brought closure and justice to victims and their families), had shown the moral culpability, in the sense that it was well deserved and justifiable.