The protocol established by the Nuremberg Trials was the legal framework for prosecuting war crimes committed during World War II. Conducted from 1945 to 1946, the trials aimed to hold leading Nazi officials accountable for crimes against humanity, including the Holocaust and aggressive warfare. The trials set important legal precedents, such as the rejection of the defense of following orders and emphasizing individual responsibility for heinous actions. They also contributed to the development of international law, leading to the establishment of norms regarding human rights and the prosecution of genocide.