Ater the end of World War II, in the years 1945-1949, in Nuremberg, Germany, there was conducted a trial of "the war criminals" of government and the military who were alledged to be responsible for instigating WWII.

The typical excuse offered by the plaintiffs was; "It wasn't my fault. I only did what I was ordered to do."

This is representative of excuses offered by persons in government or in military service.