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The Nuremberg Trials with Dr. Finn Ballard

The Nuremberg Trials with Dr. Finn Ballard


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In the autumn of 1945, a disheveled collection of war criminals - at their helm, a morphine-addled Hermann Göring - were brought to the Palace of Justice in Nuremberg, a city which had once been at the epicenter of Nazi adulation, to face the first-ever International Military Tribunal. The atrocities exposed at the Nuremberg Trials would astonish the world, and the legal precedents which were set would resonate to this day. This seminar will explore this period of uncomfortable history through the lens of the Nuremberg Trials. 
In this seminar, we will examine the history of the Trials from the early suicide of two key defendants to the capital sentencing and executions of ten others. We will discuss how the legal concept of crimes against humanity, and indeed of genocide, were consolidated at this unprecedented judicial proceeding. We'll discuss the personalities of the different criminals on trial, from the cringing Walther Funk to the belligerent Göring, the maniacal Rudolf Hess, and the manipulative Albert Speer - a ragtag bunch without their Führer. 
We will talk about the impressions of Nuremberg chief psychiatrist Douglas Kelley from California, and the heavy toll the trial took on him in later life. We'll see how Göring emerged as an instant ringleader, and how he cheated the hangman John C. Woods - himself a diagnosed psychopath - out of one more bungled execution; cunning (and not-so-cunning) defense strategies; smuggled cyanide capsules, and much more. 
Led by an expert on twentieth-century German history, Dr. Finn Ballard, this interactive seminar will revive the tale of the most significant effort to bring Nazi perpetrators to justice. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of  the Trial of the twentieth century.

Finn grew up in Northern Ireland before moving to England to study and later teach in the department of Film and Literature at the University of Warwick. He completed his doctoral study on German folklore and popular cinema in 2012, and has published extensively in the fields of Film Studies and Gender Studies. Since 2008, he has been living and guiding in Berlin. He now works as a historical advisor for television and film productions set in Berlin, particularly during the Weimar era or Third Reich. He is a journalist for the 'Siegessauele', Europe's foremost Queer magazine, and organises events at Berlin's English-language bookstore 'Another Country'.

Not suitable for children under age 13 (sensitive content).

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 30 reviews
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(30)
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D
Debra B. (Jackson, US)
The primary Nuremberg trial.

As always, I superb discussion of the design of the Nuremberg trials, and it’s primary players.

C
C.F. (Santa Monica, US)
A wonderful over if you have a very difficult time and topic.

The tour was a wonderful overview of a very difficult time and topic. Dr. Ballard’s knowledge and sensibilities regarding these difficult times are impressive and Quite enjoyable. I would highly recommend any tour he leads.

D
D.B. (Philadelphia, US)
An interesting and important overview

I always enjoy Dr. Ballard's seminars and this one was no exception. He has a great conversational tone and is an excellent public speaker. The content was thoroughly researched and a lot was covered in a short amount of time.

K
K.R. (Goderich, CA)
Excellent

Dr. Ballad’s knowledge of the subject matter is amazing and his presentation is both informative and very enjoyable. He is able to provide what some might refer to as trivial details however I find these details make the subject more interesting and the individuals come alive as real persons.

k
k. (Bremerton, US)
riveting and informative

Dr. Ballard is the best lecturer on a difficult subject. He clarifies the players, the time line and the results of these trials. I wish he would analyze the other 12 trials - his insights would be valuable

Customer Reviews

Based on 30 reviews
100%
(30)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
D
Debra B. (Jackson, US)
The primary Nuremberg trial.

As always, I superb discussion of the design of the Nuremberg trials, and it’s primary players.

C
C.F. (Santa Monica, US)
A wonderful over if you have a very difficult time and topic.

The tour was a wonderful overview of a very difficult time and topic. Dr. Ballard’s knowledge and sensibilities regarding these difficult times are impressive and Quite enjoyable. I would highly recommend any tour he leads.

D
D.B. (Philadelphia, US)
An interesting and important overview

I always enjoy Dr. Ballard's seminars and this one was no exception. He has a great conversational tone and is an excellent public speaker. The content was thoroughly researched and a lot was covered in a short amount of time.

K
K.R. (Goderich, CA)
Excellent

Dr. Ballad’s knowledge of the subject matter is amazing and his presentation is both informative and very enjoyable. He is able to provide what some might refer to as trivial details however I find these details make the subject more interesting and the individuals come alive as real persons.

k
k. (Bremerton, US)
riveting and informative

Dr. Ballard is the best lecturer on a difficult subject. He clarifies the players, the time line and the results of these trials. I wish he would analyze the other 12 trials - his insights would be valuable