Final answer:
The U.S. established the Nuremberg Trials to prosecute war crimes and introduced concepts like 'crimes against humanity'. America also helped liberate camps and document atrocities, although more proactive actions could have been taken during the war. Atomic weapons use has been critiqued for possible racial influences in decision-making.
Step-by-step explanation:
The United States responded to war crimes committed during World War II in several ways. Foremost among them were the establishment of war crimes trials and efforts to raise awareness and prevent such atrocities in the future. After uncovering the horrific extent of the Holocaust and war crimes like the Bataan Death March, US forces took part in liberating concentration camps, documenting the atrocities, and assisting survivors.
Judicial actions, such as the Nuremberg Trials, were initiated to legally prosecute individuals responsible for these crimes and to introduce new legal concepts like 'crimes against humanity' and 'genocide.' This process aimed not only to bring justice but also to counter the normalization of mass violence and further crimes that the war had brought to light.
Despite this, it is argued that America could have done more during the war, such as easing immigration restrictions and prioritizing rescue efforts for targeted groups. The use of atomic weapons against Japan was seen as a means to quickly end the war in the Pacific, though retrospective critiques suggest that other factors, including racial prejudice, might have influenced this decision. The commitment to adherence to the rules of war, even when provoked by the harsh treatment of American POWs by Japan, demonstrated a dedication to uphold moral standards in warfare.