Question
- Why were Japanese Americans on the West Coast (CA) and Hawaii likely targeted for arrests and
internment?
internment?
Ask by Hammond Young. in the United States
Mar 19,2025
Upstudy AI Solution
Tutor-Verified Answer
Answer
Japanese Americans were interned due to racial prejudice, fear after the Pearl Harbor attack, political pressure, military claims of security threats, and economic motivations.
Solution
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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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Simplify this solution The Deep Dive
The targeting of Japanese Americans for arrests and internment during World War II stemmed largely from racial prejudice and wartime hysteria following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Many Americans associated Japanese ancestry with loyalty to Japan rather than to the United States, fueling fears of espionage and sabotage. This unfounded suspicion was compounded by existing racial stereotypes and discrimination, leading to the shameful decision to forcibly relocate and detain over 120,000 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of whom were U.S. citizens.
Additionally, the government justified this action under the guise of national security, arguing that internment was a necessary precaution. It’s important to note that this unjust treatment, sanctioned by Executive Order 9066, was later recognized as a grave violation of civil rights. In 1988, the U.S. government formally apologized and provided reparations to survivors, acknowledging the deep scars left by this dark chapter in American history.
