The ruling made by the Supreme Court in the Korematsu vs. United States was a decision that unconstitutionally denied rights to the Japanese Americans and implies rights can be given or taken away based on race. In the Declaration of Independence, rights are inalienable and cannot be taken away. This court case suggests the contrary. President Roosevelt created an executive order that isolated Japanese Americans which goes against what the United States Constitution states. Korematsu challenged it and ended up in the Supreme Court. .
Sunday, December 7, 1941 was called the "date that will live in infamy," because of the massive effect it had on the entire United States and its citizens, both those of Japanese descent and those who were not. On this date, the Japanese attacked the Pearl Harbor military base in Hawaii. After this event occurred, the United States joined the Allied Powers, consisting of Great Britain and the Soviet Union, and declared war against Japan. This event was a direct attack on the US, killing over two thousand people and destroyed dozens of ships and aircrafts. The US tried to remain neutral before this occurrence because of the mixed opinions of the citizens, but after this bombing, a great majority agreed America should join the second world war. To protect the United States, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order authorizing the Secretary of State to create military camps. These military camps were created to house Japanese Americans during World War II. To the public, they were considered necessary to assist war efforts. Beginning February 19, 1942, Japanese Americans, guilty or innocent, could be put in these concentration camps. In order to ensure the safety of the American population, over one hundred thousand Japanese Americans were put into camps. Many died from deprivation, despair and disease. The fear that a few Japanese American citizens could be traitors willing to sabotage their home country, caused these thousands to suffer.
