Was the treatment of Japanese Americans during WWII a setback for democracy?

Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941183 Japanese airplanes bombed U.S. Naval and Air force base Killed over 3,000 Americans Destroyed almost all U.S. airplanes at base Sank or badly hurt most U.S. ships Many Americans questioned the loyalty of Japanese Americans

Japanese Loyalty FEW people felt that Italian-Americans and German-Americans were traitors MANY people felt that Japanese-Americans were still loyal to the government in Tokyo May act like spies Help Japan invade the U.S.

FDR No evidence of disloyalty of Japanese-Americans existed FDR Signs Executive Order 9066 Japanese-Americans move from their home to “relocation camps” Many were American citizens by birth

Japanese Interment Camps U.S. made no distinction between Japanese immigrants and Japanese-Americans born in the U.S. All were deported 110,000 Japanese-Americans were forced to sell their homes, farms, and businesses Conditions Crowded barracks Barbed wire Guarded by the army Freedom taken away

Korematsu v. United States

Korematsu v. United States Korematsu refused to obey wartime order to leave his home and go to an interment camp Arrested and found guilty Appealed to Supreme Court VIOLATION: 14th amendment: the right to be treated equally like other citizens, no discrimination. 5th amendment: Arrested without a reason.

Supreme Court’s Decision The internment of Japanese Americans was legal because it posed a potential threat to the United States. “Clear and Present Danger” Society’s security is in danger Suspends individual freedoms for the protection of society as a whole