Korematsu v. United States

Definition

A landmark Supreme Court case in 1944 that upheld the constitutionality of Executive Order 9066 which led to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Analogy

Think about getting punished for something you didn't do just because you look like someone who did it. Fred Korematsu challenged this unfair treatment all the way up to our nation's highest court - but unfortunately lost his case at that time.

Related terms

Civil Liberties Act of 1988: An act signed into law by President Ronald Reagan that granted reparations (compensation) to surviving internees of Japanese descent as an official apology for their unjust treatment during WWII.

Fifth Amendment Rights: Part of the Bill of Rights that protects individuals from being deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. Korematsu argued that his Fifth Amendment rights were violated.

Hirabayashi v. United States: A related Supreme Court case in 1943 which also upheld the government's wartime internment policy.