American Japanese Internment

Front

Japanese immigration to the US began in the mid-1800s, with tensions arising soon after. Laws in California restricted Issei from citizenship and property ownership, reflecting beliefs about their assimilation compared to European immigrants.

Back

Japanese-born immigrants faced legal restrictions to becoming US citizens as far back as the early 1900s.

Answer explanation

Japanese-born immigrants faced legal restrictions to becoming US citizens as far back as the early 1900s.

According to the passage, "Around the turn of the century in California, laws were passed that prevented Issei — Japanese immigrants born in Japan — from becoming US citizens or owning property."

Front

US government encouraged anti-Japanese sentiment in the 1940s by releasing propaganda that dehumanized Japanese people.

Back

by releasing propaganda that dehumanized Japanese people

Answer explanation

by releasing propaganda that dehumanized Japanese people

The passage states that the US government began "to release anti-Japanese propaganda full of racist stereotypes. Posters, movies and songs compared Japanese people to rats, apes, demons and other creatures."

Front

On Feb 19, 1942, FDR issued Executive Order 9066, allowing the War Department to declare restricted military areas. Japanese Americans were targeted, leading to the internment of over 110,000, mostly Nisei, in camps across the Southwest.

Back

Most of the interned were born in the US.

Answer explanation

Most of the interned were born in the US.

According to the passage, "Eventually, over 110,000 Japanese Americans were interned, or kept in camps. Almost 60 percent were Nisei, Japanese Americans who were born in the US."

Front

Life in internment camps: families evacuated with only what they could carry, leaving pets and belongings. Camps were isolated, fenced, and guarded. Shared rooms, communal dining, and limited resources. Internees created schools, teams, gardens, and supported the war effort. Over 33,000 Nisei soldiers served despite family detentions.

Back

Internees did their best to live a normal life despite not having many resources.

Answer explanation

Internees did their best to live a normal life despite not having many resources.

The passage states, "Internees tried to make life as normal as possible with limited resources."

Front

Fred Korematsu, a US-born Japanese American, defied Executive Order 9066, claiming it violated his rights. The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in favor of the government, prioritizing wartime security over civil rights. Justice Murphy dissented, calling the internment racist.

Back

the Fifth Amendment.

Answer explanation

the Fifth Amendment.

The passage states, "Korematsu argued that the order was unconstitutional and violated his Fifth Amendment rights."

Front

Last internment camp closed in 1946. Government gave $50 per family, $25 per individual, plus train fare. Formal apology issued in 1988, acknowledging internment was based on race prejudice and failure of leadership. Each surviving internee received $20,000.

Back

The government did not formally apologize to the internees for over 40 years.

Answer explanation

The government did not formally apologize to the internees for over 40 years.

The passage states, "The last internment camp closed in 1946" and "it was not until 1988 that the government finally issued a formal apology to the internees."