1. Obedience to Authority: Many defendants claimed that they were simply following orders from their superiors and were not personally responsible for their actions. This argument became known as the "Nuremberg defence".
2. Superior Orders: Defendants argued that they were bound by military discipline and had to obey orders from higher-ranking officials, even if they had reservations about the legality or morality of those orders.
3. Lack of Knowledge: Some defendants claimed that they were unaware of the crimes being committed or the extent of the atrocities carried out by the Nazi regime. They argued that they were isolated from decision-making processes and had limited information about the overall situation.
4. Political Motivation: Defendants tried to justify their actions by arguing that they were driven by patriotic or ideological motives. They claimed that they believed they were acting in the best interests of Germany or the Nazi cause, even if their actions resulted in harm or injustice.
5. Justification of War: Some defendants argued that their actions were justified in the context of war, claiming that they were necessary for national security or the defence of the country.
6. Mental Incapacity: A few defendants attempted to argue that they were not mentally capable of making sound judgements or that they had diminished mental capacity at the time of the alleged crimes.
7. Statute of Limitations: Some defendants argued that the crimes they were charged with had exceeded the statute of limitations and could no longer be legally prosecuted.
It's important to note that these defence arguments were not universally accepted or successful. The court carefully evaluated the evidence and testimonies presented during the trials and many of the defendants were found guilty of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and crimes against peace. The Nuremberg trials established significant precedents in international law and highlighted the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, even when acting under orders or within a system of authority.