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Korematsu

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Korematsu v United States The United States of America is known for its freedom and opportunity. However, the glorified nation was not always so bright and welcoming for American minorities. In fact, many infamous Supreme Court cases concerned civil rights for these minorities. Korematsu v United States was a milestone for Japanese Americans in the 1940s. It is evident that this case was filled with racial prejudice towards Japanese Americans. Korematsu v United States significantly brought to discussion the power of the United States government concerning civil rights.
World War II’s effects on the world are limitless, however America’s role and state during this dire time was notably impacted. Men at this moment have gone off to war, leaving …show more content…
Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor and the US declaration of war against Japan was a product of this tension. These events increased the already high level of racism in America towards Japanese citizens (21). American society was uncontrollable at the time with its racism and rumors. The dangerous increase in the amount of rumors as so severe that on December 10th of 1941, an FBI informant claimed that 20,000 armed Japanese Americans were planning an uprising. This turned out to be one simple, frightening lie that sparked hatred in all those that believed it …show more content…
DeWitt began to support an evacuation program for Japanese citizens on the West Coast. This was due to rumors and poor treatment from other American citizens (Alonso 24). DeWitt was put in charge of the evacuation, making the temporary homes into internment camps (29). On February 19, 1942, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, giving the military permission to take over places on the West Coast where they claimed Japan may attack (30). This order allowed the military to keep out any people from those areas that they believed posed a threat. These people, were of course, citizens of Japanese descent (30). The camps obviously did sit well with the affected people causing it to “put at issue underlying questions of loyalty, and sometimes as a result the camps became theaters of deep-seated resistance -- for example, at times violent breakdowns in order, mass renunciation of citizenship, and occasional demonstrations of support for Japan” (Gudridge 1938). Therefore, it is clear that the camps backfired on the US government’s plans, provoking violent behavior rather than persuading cooperative and safe

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