Japanese American Internment

Definition

Japanese American internment refers to the forced relocation and incarceration of around 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II, primarily in response to fears of espionage and sabotage after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This government action, largely carried out through executive orders, highlighted the use of emergency powers in times of crisis and raised significant civil rights concerns regarding racial discrimination and due process.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. About two-thirds of those interned were American citizens, showing that the policy targeted even loyal citizens based solely on their ethnicity.
2. Internment camps were located in remote areas across the United States, with detainees facing poor living conditions and loss of property and businesses.
3. The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of internment in cases like Korematsu v. United States, a decision that has since been widely criticized.
4. Public sentiment against Japanese Americans fueled support for internment, despite the lack of evidence for widespread disloyalty among them.
5. In 1944, the U.S. government began dismantling the internment camps as wartime fears subsided, but many internees returned to find their homes and businesses destroyed.

Review Questions

• How did Executive Order 9066 reflect the government's response to national security concerns during World War II?
  • Executive Order 9066 was a direct response to national security fears following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. It allowed for the removal of individuals deemed a threat to national security, specifically targeting Japanese Americans regardless of their citizenship status. This action demonstrated how fear can lead to drastic measures that infringe upon civil liberties, showcasing a troubling intersection between security and rights during wartime.
• Discuss the implications of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 regarding the recognition of injustices faced by Japanese Americans during World War II.
  • The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 represented a significant acknowledgment by the U.S. government of the wrongs committed against Japanese Americans during internment. It formally apologized for the unjust actions taken and recognized that these actions were rooted in racial prejudice rather than legitimate security concerns. The act also provided reparations, signaling an important step toward rectifying historical injustices and fostering dialogue about civil rights protections.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of Japanese American internment on civil rights movements in the United States post-World War II.
  • The internment of Japanese Americans had profound long-term effects on civil rights movements in the United States. It highlighted the vulnerabilities of minority groups during times of national crisis and sparked greater awareness about racial discrimination within American society. The injustices experienced by Japanese Americans became a rallying point for broader civil rights advocacy, influencing future movements aimed at ensuring legal protections against discrimination based on race or ethnicity. This legacy continues to inform discussions about civil liberties and government accountability today.

Related terms

Executive Order 9066: The presidential directive issued by Franklin D. Roosevelt that authorized the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Civil Liberties Act of 1988: The U.S. law that acknowledged the injustices of Japanese American internment and provided reparations to surviving internees.

Internment Camps: The facilities where Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated and held during the internment period, often under harsh conditions.