Civil Liberties Act of 1988

Definition

The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 was a U.S. law that acknowledged and apologized for the injustices faced by Japanese Americans during World War II, specifically their forced relocation and internment. This act provided reparations to surviving internees and established a commission to review the events surrounding the internment, reflecting a critical re-evaluation of civil rights and government actions during wartime.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Civil Liberties Act was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on August 10, 1988, acknowledging the injustices faced by Japanese Americans.
2. Surviving internees received $20,000 as reparations, which was a symbolic gesture to recognize the harm done to them.
3. The Act formally recognized that the internment was not justified by military necessity but was instead based on racial prejudice.
4. The legislation included an apology from the U.S. government for the internment experience of Japanese Americans.
5. The establishment of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians was part of this act, tasked with studying the events surrounding the internment.

Review Questions

• How did the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 address the historical injustices faced by Japanese Americans during World War II?
  • The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 addressed historical injustices by formally acknowledging that the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans were wrongful acts based on racial prejudice rather than military necessity. The act not only offered an official apology from the government but also provided reparations to surviving internees, helping to rectify some of the damage done during this dark chapter in American history. This recognition marked a significant shift in how the U.S. viewed its past treatment of its citizens in times of crisis.
• What impact did Executive Order 9066 have on Japanese American communities, and how did this relate to the later passage of the Civil Liberties Act?
  • Executive Order 9066 had a profound impact on Japanese American communities, resulting in the forced relocation and internment of about 120,000 individuals, most of whom were U.S. citizens. The traumatic experiences endured in internment camps fostered a long-standing sense of injustice among these communities. The later passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 can be seen as a direct response to this historical trauma, aiming to acknowledge these wrongs and provide reparations as a form of justice and recognition for their suffering.
• Evaluate the significance of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 in terms of contemporary discussions about civil rights and government accountability.
  • The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 holds significant importance in contemporary discussions about civil rights and government accountability as it reflects a broader recognition of systemic injustices faced by marginalized groups. By formally apologizing and providing reparations for past wrongs, it set a precedent for how governments can acknowledge and address historical grievances. This act also serves as a critical reminder of the importance of safeguarding civil liberties during times of national crisis, emphasizing that actions based on fear or prejudice can have lasting impacts on communities and should be critically examined to prevent future injustices.

Related terms

Executive Order 9066:

The executive order signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942 that authorized the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.

Japanese American Internment:

The confinement of around 120,000 Japanese Americans in camps across the United States during World War II, primarily based on wartime hysteria and racial prejudice.

Redress Movement:

A social and political campaign aimed at achieving justice and compensation for Japanese Americans who suffered due to internment during World War II.