Reflecting on Conflict

Read the excerpt from President Franklin Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms” speech. What is the president’s point of view on helping other democratic nations fight dictatorial nations?

Let us say to the democracies: "We Americans are vitally concerned in your defense of freedom. We are putting forth our energies, our resources, and our organizing powers to give you the strength to regain and maintain a free world. We shall send you in ever-increasing numbers, ships, planes, tanks, guns. That is our purpose and our pledge."

In fulfillment of this purpose we will not be intimidated by the threats of dictators that they will regard as a breach of international law or as an act of war our aid to the democracies which dare to resist their aggression. Such aid—Such aid is not an act of war, even if a dictator should unilaterally proclaim it so to be.

And when the dictators—if the dictators—are ready to make war upon us, they will not wait for an act of war on our part . . .Their only interest is in a new one-way international law, which lacks mutuality in its observance and therefore becomes an instrument of oppression. The happiness of future generations of Americans may well depend on how effective and how immediate we can make our aid felt.

• It is critical to help democracies so that freedom is preserved in the United States and everywhere.

• Helping democracies by supplying them with war equipment such as ships and guns is as good as participating

  in the war directly.

• Helping the democracies is an act of generosity because the war does not really impact the United States

  in any way.

• It is wiser to help democratic nations secretly because the United States would avoid upsetting the aggressive

  dictatorial nations.

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Which sentence best summarizes the following excerpt from the Chinese Exclusion Act, which Congress passed in 1882?

Whereas in the opinion of the Government of the United States the coming of Chinese laborers to this country endangers the good order of certain localities within the territory thereof: Therefore,

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That from and after the expiration of ninety days next after the passage of this act, and until the expiration of ten years next after the passage of this act, the coming of Chinese laborers to the United States be, and the same is hereby, suspended; and during such suspension it shall not be lawful for any Chinese laborer to come, or having so come after the expiration of said ninety days to remain within the United States.

SEC. 2. That the master of any vessel who shall knowingly bring within the United States on such vessel, and land or permit to be landed, any Chinese laborer, from any foreign port or place, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars for each and every such Chinese laborer so brought, and maybe also imprisoned for a term not exceeding one year.

• The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 banned Americans from hiring Chinese laborers.

• The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was passed to maintain law and order in the United States.

• The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 prohibited Chinese laborers from entering the United States.

• The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 required all Chinese workers in the United States to leave the country.

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Read the excerpt from Executive Order 9066, which President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Which two sentences describe the central idea of the passage?

Now, therefore, by virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States, and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I hereby authorize and direct the Secretary of War, and the Military Commanders whom he may from time to time designate, whenever he or any designated Commander deems such action necessary or desirable, to prescribe military areas in such places and of such extent as he or the appropriate Military Commander may determine, from which any or all persons may be excluded, and with respect to which, the right of any person to enter, remain in, or leave shall be subject to whatever restrictions the Secretary of War or the appropriate Military Commander may impose in his discretion. The Secretary of War is hereby authorized to provide for residents of any such area who are excluded therefrom, such transportation, food, shelter, and other accommodations as may be necessary, in the judgment of the Secretary of War or the said Military Commander, and until other arrangements are made, to accomplish the purpose of this order. The designation of military areas in any region or locality shall supersede designations of prohibited and restricted areas by the Attorney General under the Proclamations of December 7 and 8, 1941, and shall supersede the responsibility and authority of the Attorney General under the said Proclamations in respect of such prohibited and restricted areas.

• The president allowed the secretary of war to declare military areas wherever required.

• The order allowed for the evacuation and internment of only Asian Americans.

• The order allowed for the evacuation and relocation of any citizen from military areas.

• The attorney general had the highest authority over the designation of military areas.

• The military areas could be designated only along the West Coast of the United States.

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Examine this poster published by the US government during World War II. What is the purpose of this poster?

• to keep women busy while their husbands fight in the war

• to encourage women to become financially independent

• to urge women to support the nation by taking up jobs

• to present career options to women who like to work

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Analyze this poster from World War II. Which two sentences capture the message of the poster?

• By riding alone, you waste fuel and indirectly end up supporting Hitler.

• It is risky to travel alone during war time, so it’s a good idea to ride with others.

• Conserve fuel by car-sharing so the United States has enough fuel for defense equipment.

• Car-sharing clubs are a great way to save money and enjoy additional benefits.

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Read the excerpt from President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066, which resulted in the evacuation and removal of Japanese Americans in the early 1940s. What is the purpose of this passage?

I hereby further authorize and direct the Secretary of War and the said Military Commanders to take such other steps as he or the appropriate Military Commander may deem advisable to enforce compliance with the restrictions applicable to each Military area hereinabove authorized to be designated, including the use of Federal troops and other Federal Agencies, with authority to accept assistance of state and local agencies.

I hereby further authorize and direct all Executive Departments, independent establishments and other Federal Agencies, to assist the Secretary of War or the said Military Commanders in carrying out this Executive Order, including the furnishing of medical aid, hospitalization, food, clothing, transportation, use of land, shelter, and other supplies, equipment, utilities, facilities, and services.

• to allow the secretary of war and military commanders to declare any restrictions in military areas

• to ensure that the secretary of war receives complete support in enforcing military area restrictions

• to name federal agencies that could assist the secretary of war in carrying out the executive order

• to plead with all federal agencies and independent establishments to support the secretary of war

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Read the excerpt from President Franklin Roosevelt's “Day of Infamy” speech delivered after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Which sentence best summarizes the passage?

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu. Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya. Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong. Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam. Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands. Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island. And this morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island. Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area.

• Japan’s strategy was to destroy American defense equipment by launching a surprise attack.

• Japan’s deception and successive surprise attacks revealed its aggressive stance in World War II.

• American military and naval defense equipment were badly damaged in the attack on Hawaii.

• All the surprise attacks by Japan in the Pacific had been carefully planned over a period of time.

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Which sentence contains the central idea of this excerpt from President Bill Clinton’s letter of apology addressed to Japanese Americans who were relocated?

Over fifty years ago, the United States Government unjustly interned, evacuated, or relocated you and many other Japanese Americans. Today, on behalf of your fellow Americans, I offer a sincere apology to you for the actions that unfairly denied Japanese Americans and their families fundamental liberties during World War II.

In passing the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, we acknowledged the wrongs of the past and offered redress to those who endured such grave injustice. In retrospect, we understand that the nation’s actions were rooted deeply in racial prejudice, wartime hysteria, and a lack of political leadership. We must learn from the past and dedicate ourselves as a nation to renewing the spirit of equality and our love of freedom. Together, we can guarantee a future with liberty and justice for all. You and your family have my best wishes for the future.

• the United States Government unjustly interned, evacuated, or relocated you

• I offer a sincere apology to you for the actions that unfairly denied Japanese Americans and their families fundamental liberties during World War II.

• In retrospect, we understand that the nation’s actions were rooted deeply in racial prejudice, wartime hysteria, and a lack of political leadership.

• we can guarantee a future with liberty and justice

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