key term - Civil Liberties Act

Definition

The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 was a significant piece of legislation in the United States that acknowledged and apologized for the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. This act provided reparations to those who were interned, recognizing that their civil liberties had been violated due to wartime hysteria and prejudice.

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.
2. It provided $20,000 in reparations to each surviving Japanese American who had been interned during World War II.
3. The act also included a formal apology from the U.S. government for the injustices committed against Japanese Americans.
4. The legislation recognized that the internment was motivated by racial prejudice rather than legitimate military necessity.
5. The Civil Liberties Act helped pave the way for discussions about civil rights and the importance of protecting individual liberties during times of crisis.

Review Questions

• How did the Civil Liberties Act address the injustices faced by Japanese Americans during World War II?
  • The Civil Liberties Act directly addressed the injustices faced by Japanese Americans by providing reparations and a formal apology from the U.S. government. This legislation acknowledged that the internment was based on racial prejudice and not on legitimate security concerns. By offering $20,000 to each surviving internee, it aimed to rectify some of the harm done and restore a sense of justice for those affected by this historical injustice.
• Evaluate the impact of Executive Order 9066 on civil liberties and how it led to the need for the Civil Liberties Act.
  • Executive Order 9066 had a profound impact on civil liberties, as it authorized the forced relocation and incarceration of Japanese Americans based solely on their ethnicity. This action stripped thousands of individuals of their rights without due process, highlighting how fear can lead to the violation of fundamental freedoms. The resulting backlash and recognition of these injustices eventually culminated in the Civil Liberties Act, which sought to make amends for this dark chapter in American history.
• Analyze how the passage of the Civil Liberties Act reflects broader themes in U.S. history regarding civil rights and governmental accountability.
  • The passage of the Civil Liberties Act reflects broader themes in U.S. history surrounding civil rights and governmental accountability by addressing past wrongs and emphasizing the importance of protecting individual liberties. It demonstrates a shift in public consciousness regarding racial discrimination and the need for reparative justice. The act serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by wartime hysteria and serves to hold the government accountable for its actions against marginalized groups, reinforcing the idea that civil liberties must be safeguarded even during times of national crisis.

Related terms

Japanese American Internment: The forced relocation and incarceration of around 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II, primarily in response to fears of espionage and sabotage.

Executive Order 9066:

The executive order signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942 that authorized the internment of Japanese Americans in the name of national security.

Reparations: Compensation given to individuals or groups who have suffered injustices, often in the form of financial payments or formal apologies.