Japanese Internment World War II

Government Concerns QUESTION: What to do about possible enemy collaborators during WWII? QUESTION: What to do about possible enemy collaborators during WWII?

In Your Opinion To safeguard American security, can the government of the United States carry out actions that violate the rights of American citizens? To safeguard American security, can the government of the United States carry out actions that violate the rights of American citizens?

Abraham Lincoln During the Civil War During the Civil War –Ordered the jailing of thousands of men who were living in the North and suspected of being Southern sympathizers –Many never received a hearing in a court of law

Woodrow Wilson World War I World War I –Believed that only a united country could achieve victory –Espionage Act – penalties to anyone who used “disloyal, profane, or abusive language” about the U.S. government, flag, or uniform

World War II After Pearl Harbor, the U.S. government feared further attacks on U.S. soil After Pearl Harbor, the U.S. government feared further attacks on U.S. soil Raised the issue of the possible presence of enemy collaborators Raised the issue of the possible presence of enemy collaborators –One million people of German, Italian, and Japanese descent were currently living in the U.S. –Many were non-citizens

Was the presence of German, Italian and Japanese immigrants a threat to national security?

Read Concern A You are President Roosevelt’s chief advisor on national security issues. What would you advise the president to do? Why? You are President Roosevelt’s chief advisor on national security issues. What would you advise the president to do? Why? Choose an ACTION and provide a REASON. Choose an ACTION and provide a REASON.

A. Intern – place in armed camps – all Germans, Italians, and Japanese citizens and non- citizens, approximately one million people B. Intern only those Germans, Italians and Japanese that appear to be disloyal. C. Place all Japanese citizens and non-citizens, regardless of age, gender or place of birth, in internment camps well away from strategic coastal areas. D. Establish zones around military installations and strategic areas and require an entry pass. E. Deal with Germans, Italians and Japanese the same way as other U.s. citizens – on a case- by-case basis. Proven enemy collaborators should be sent to jail or interned.

Actual Action Taken VICTIMS: Japanese Americans VICTIMS: Japanese Americans –Executive Order 9066  All Japanese, regardless of citizenship, age, gender, place of birth, or pronouncement of loyalty were relocated AWAY from vital areas of security and defense Vague orders from Roosevelt to “do anything necessary… dictated by military necessity” Vague orders from Roosevelt to “do anything necessary… dictated by military necessity”

Read Concern B You are a member of a congressional committee investigating the Japanese internment during World War II. What is your assessment of how Executive Order 9066 was carried out? Why? You are a member of a congressional committee investigating the Japanese internment during World War II. What is your assessment of how Executive Order 9066 was carried out? Why? Choose an ACTION and provide a REASON. Choose an ACTION and provide a REASON.

A. The way it was carried out was absolutely wrong. What happened is shameful. B. The way it was carried out was wrong but can be understood because the U.S. was at war. C. The way it was carried out can be justified. It was a matter of military necessity.

Actual Action Taken (to be cont’d) Japanese-Americans were placed in internment camps in the Southwest. Japanese-Americans were placed in internment camps in the Southwest. Americans were divided… Americans were divided… –OPINION 1: used extreme care and humane treat to ensure comfort of each individual –OPINION 2: internment was hasty, unnecessary, and mistaken

Action to be Taken Why ONLY Japanese Americans? Why ONLY Japanese Americans? –Easily identified and small in number –Anti-Japanese sentiment was very STRONG –History of discrimination But 70% of all Japanese in the U.S. WERE either naturalized or American-born citizens But 70% of all Japanese in the U.S. WERE either naturalized or American-born citizens

Read Concern C You are a member of Congress in What is your opinion of the proposal for a formal apology and reparation payments? Why? You are a member of Congress in What is your opinion of the proposal for a formal apology and reparation payments? Why? Choose an ACTION and provide a REASON. Choose an ACTION and provide a REASON.

A. The proposal for an apology and reparations does not go far enough. The payment should cover the true cost of the pain and suffering of the internees B. The proposal is appropriate just as it is. C. The apology is appropriate but the payment is going too far. Who else will we have to pay? D. No apology or reparations should be provided to the surviving internees.

Actual Action Taken (to be cont’d) Mid-1940s – fed. Government paid in excess of $100 million to internees Mid-1940s – fed. Government paid in excess of $100 million to internees 1988 – Ronald Reagan signed House Bill 442 – awarding every surviving Japanese American who had been interned $20, – Ronald Reagan signed House Bill 442 – awarding every surviving Japanese American who had been interned $20,000.

Actual Action Taken 1997 – Wartime violation of Italian American Civil Liberties Act 1997 – Wartime violation of Italian American Civil Liberties Act Apology from the government to Italian Americans for the abuses they suffered during World War II. Apology from the government to Italian Americans for the abuses they suffered during World War II.