2. Why were Japanese Americans on the West Coast (CA) and Hawaii likely targeted for arrests and internment?

Japanese Americans on the West Coast and in Hawaii were likely targeted for arrests and internment during World War II due to a combination of factors: 1. **Racial Prejudice**: There was a long-standing history of racial discrimination against Asian immigrants in the United States, particularly against Japanese Americans. This prejudice was exacerbated by wartime hysteria and fear of espionage. 2. **Pearl Harbor Attack**: The attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, heightened fears of sabotage and espionage among Japanese Americans. Many Americans, including government officials, mistakenly believed that Japanese Americans posed a security threat. 3. **Political Pressure**: Following the attack, there was significant political pressure on the U.S. government to take action against Japanese Americans. Influential figures and groups called for their removal from the West Coast, arguing that they could not be trusted. 4. **Military Justification**: The U.S. military, particularly General John L. DeWitt, argued that Japanese Americans were a potential threat to national security. This led to the justification for internment as a "military necessity." 5. **Economic Factors**: There were also economic motivations, as some individuals and businesses sought to benefit from the removal of Japanese Americans, who were often successful farmers and business owners. These factors combined to create an environment where the internment of Japanese Americans was seen as a necessary and justified action, despite the lack of evidence supporting the notion that they were disloyal or posed a threat.