Key Points from the Lecture on the Aftermath of Pearl Harbor and the Japanese-American Internment

Historical Context

• Date & Event: December 7, 1941 - Japanese fleet attacked Pearl Harbor.
• Result: Brought death, destruction, nationwide terror.
• Impact: Shook American psyche, fear of further attacks.

Constitutional Implications During War

• National Governance: Constitution typically governs with 3 equal branches.
• War Impact: Power shifts to the President; national security often prioritized over civil liberties.
• Supreme Court Justices: Justice Breyer and Justice Kennedy discuss the challenges of maintaining liberty during crisis.

Immediate Aftermath

• President FDR's Response: War declared by Congress after FDR's speech on December 8, 1941.
• Japanese Nationals: Roughly 1,000 rounded up due to hysteria over espionage.

Racism and Prejudice

• Japanese-American History: Faced discrimination; unable to become citizens, subjected to unfair laws.
• Economic Contribution: Despite discrimination, Japanese-Americans produced significant agricultural output by 1941.

Commission and Reports

• Roberts Commission: Investigated Pearl Harbor; accused Japanese-Americans of disloyalty based on hearsay.
• Impact: Led to calls for mass removal of Japanese-Americans from the West Coast.

Internment of Japanese-Americans

• Executive Order 9066: Signed by FDR, gave military power to remove 'threats' without due process.
• Internment Camps: Japanese-Americans forcibly relocated; faced property loss and prejudice.
• Living Conditions: Poor infrastructure; camps located in isolated, often harsh environments.
• Legal Challenges: Fred Korematsu defied order; his case challenged internment's legality.

Legal and Judicial Outcomes

• Korematsu v. United States: Supreme Court upheld internment citing wartime necessity.
• Dissenting Justices: Highlighted the racial discrimination and lack of evidence.

Post-War Reflections

• Closing of Camps: Internment camps closed after Japan's defeat.
• No Espionage Evidence: No Japanese-Americans were found guilty of sabotage.

Rectification and Apologies

• Fred Korematsu's Vindication: His conviction overturned in 1983 due to hidden evidence.
• Civil Liberties Act of 1988: Official apology and reparations to internment survivors.
• Recognition: Korematsu awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998.

Contemporary Relevance

• Potential for Recurrence: Fear continues to threaten civil liberties.
• Constitutional Ownership: Emphasized as a responsibility of the people to understand and defend.
• 2018 Supreme Court Decision: Officially overturned Korematsu ruling; acknowledged past mistakes.

Conclusion

• Importance of Vigilance: Reminder to uphold constitutional values and protect civil liberties against fear-driven policies.