Robert H. Jackson at Nuremberg

Overview:

Students will explore Robert H. Jackson’s role as Chief U.S. Prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials and analyze how his work shaped international law, human rights, and the global pursuit of justice. Through primary source analysis, discussion, and a case-based activity, students will develop an understanding of due process, accountability, and the significance of the Nuremberg precedent.

Learning Goals:

Explain who Robert H. Jackson was and describe his role at the Nuremberg Trials.
Analyze excerpts from Jackson’s opening statement and relate them to democratic values and the rule of law.
Describe why the Nuremberg Trials were historically significant.

Learning Standards:

New York State
- Social Studies: 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 5.1, 5.4
- ELA Literacy in History/Social Studies: RH2, RH3, RH4, RH5, RH6, RH8, WHST7
Pennsylvania
- History: 8.1, 8.3, 8.4
- Civics and Government: 5.4
- Reading in History and Social Studies: 8.5B, 8.5D, 8.5E, 8.5H, 8.6H

Assessment/Evaluation:

Participation in discussion and group work
Annotation Activity worksheet
Optional Extension: short written paragraph or creative response (e.g., rewrite a line from Jackson’s speech in modern language)

Materials Needed:

For Students:
- Opening Statement Excerpts
- Annotation Activity
Teacher Resource: Background and Introduction to Robert H. Jackson
Teacher Resource: Background and Introduction to the Nuremberg Trials
Link to Opening Statement video

Lesson Flow
                          Introduction
                                                
                          5 min
                      
                                          Display the following quote from Robert H. Jackson’s opening statement at Nuremberg:
“The record on which we judge these defendants is the record on which history will judge us tomorrow.”

Have students respond to the following either in a class discussion or in a pre-class bell-ringer:
What does this mean?
Why might a prosecutor say this at an international trial?

Class Discussion: activate prior knowledge
What were the Nuremberg Trials?

                          Mini-Lecture: Robert H. Jackson and the Nuremberg Trials 
                                                
                          10 min
                      
                                          Provide students with background information on Robert H. Jackson (see teacher resource)
Provide students with background information on the Nuremberg Trials (see teacher resource)
Show video clip of opening statement at Nuremberg

                          Opening Statement Analysis
                                                
                          20 min
                      
                                          Provide students with Excerpts from Jackson’s Opening Statement (see resource)
Break students into groups and assign them sections of the excerpts to analyze
Provide students with directions for the annotation activity (see resource)

                          Class Discussion
                                                
                          10 min
                      
                                          What makes Jackson’s argument powerful?
What risks did the Allies take by choosing a trial instead of summary punishment?
How does Jackson tie justice to democracy and fairness?

Robert H. Jackson at Nuremberg

Overview:

Learning Goals:

Learning Standards:

Assessment/Evaluation:

Materials Needed:

Lesson Flow

Introduction

Mini-Lecture: Robert H. Jackson and the Nuremberg Trials

Opening Statement Analysis

Class Discussion

Lesson Plan Resources

Subscribe to our Newsletter