Lecture Notes: Pearl Harbor Attack and Japanese American Internment

Introduction

• Film presented by the Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands.
• Focuses on the consequences of the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941.

Pearl Harbor Attack

• Japanese fleet launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
• Resulted in death, destruction, and a nationwide sense of terror in the USA.
• Shifted the balance of power towards the President during wartime.

Constitutional Implications

• Normally, the US operates with three separate branches of power.
• During war, the President’s power increases, often prioritizing national security over civil liberties.
• Justice Breyer and Justice Kennedy highlight the constitutional vulnerability and challenges of maintaining freedom.

Aftermath of Pearl Harbor

• Over 2,000 deaths and significant damage to the Pacific fleet.
• FDR requests Congress to declare war, which they do promptly.
• Immediate fear of espionage leads to the rounding up of Japanese nationals.

The Roberts Commission

• Supreme Court Justice Owen Roberts led an investigation into the attack.
• Commission's report erroneously accused Japanese Americans of subversive activities without evidence.
• This fueled public hysteria and calls for the removal of Japanese Americans from the West Coast.

Japanese American Internment

• Pre-existing discrimination against Asian immigrants, including Japanese, was significant.
• Executive Order 9066, signed by FDR, authorized internment.
• 120,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated to internment camps.

Conditions and Impact

• Internment led to significant personal and financial losses for Japanese Americans.
• Camps were poorly prepared, with harsh living conditions.
• Internment lasted until late in the war, with severe social repercussions.

Legal Challenges and Korematsu Case

• Fred Korematsu defied internment orders, leading to a landmark Supreme Court case.
• The court ruled against Korematsu, prioritizing military necessity over civil liberties.
• Dissenting opinions highlighted racial discrimination and lack of evidence.

Post-War Period and Reparations

• Recognition of the injustice came decades later with congressional apologies and reparations.
• Korematsu’s conviction was overturned, acknowledging governmental misconduct during the war.

Modern Reflections

• Justice Roberts in 2018 formally overturned Korematsu’s decision as having no place in law.
• Emphasizes the importance of protecting constitutional rights during crises.
• The significance of voting and civic engagement in defending civil liberties.