Internment

Definition

Internment refers to the imprisonment or confinement of individuals, often without trial, during wartime or in times of national emergency. This practice is closely associated with the forced relocation and detention of Japanese Americans during World War II, reflecting broader themes of civil liberties, discrimination, and national security.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Over two-thirds of those interned were American citizens, highlighting the severe impact on civil liberties during wartime.
2. Internment camps were often located in remote areas, surrounded by barbed wire and guarded by armed military personnel.
3. Conditions in internment camps varied but were generally marked by inadequate housing, food shortages, and a lack of privacy.
4. In 1988, the U.S. government formally apologized for the internment and granted reparations to surviving Japanese Americans.
5. The Supreme Court case Korematsu v. United States upheld the constitutionality of internment during World War II, but it has since been widely criticized as a significant failure of American justice.

Review Questions

• What were the primary reasons behind the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II?
  • The primary reasons for the internment of Japanese Americans included wartime hysteria following the attack on Pearl Harbor, racial prejudice against people of Japanese descent, and concerns about national security. The U.S. government viewed Japanese Americans as potential threats despite a lack of evidence that they posed any danger. This atmosphere of fear led to widespread support for internment among the public and policymakers.
• How did Executive Order 9066 facilitate the process of internment in the United States?
  • Executive Order 9066 was a pivotal decision that authorized military officials to designate certain areas as exclusion zones from which any person could be removed. This effectively allowed for the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans without due process. The order set the stage for the establishment of internment camps across the country, where thousands were confined under harsh conditions simply because of their heritage.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of Japanese American internment on civil rights movements in the United States.
  • The internment of Japanese Americans had significant long-term implications for civil rights movements in the United States. It highlighted issues of racial discrimination and government overreach, prompting increased advocacy for civil liberties. The internment experience became a critical case study for later movements seeking justice for marginalized groups, influencing public perceptions about government accountability and the protection of civil rights. Furthermore, it contributed to a broader discourse around racial justice that continued to resonate in subsequent decades.

Related terms

Japanese American Internment: The forced relocation and incarceration of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans in internment camps across the United States during World War II, primarily due to wartime hysteria and racial prejudice.

Executive Order 9066:

An order signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in February 1942 that authorized the forced removal and internment of Japanese Americans from designated military zones.

Civil Liberties:

Fundamental rights and freedoms protected from infringement by the government, including the right to due process, freedom of speech, and protection against arbitrary detention.