Japanese-Americans+in+WWII

In this class, we're going to examine two questions:

1. Why did the Japanese make the decision to bomb Pearl Harbor?

2. What was the impact of that decision on Japanese Americans? Was the American government's reaction justified? Why or why not?

In dealing with the first question, we will read page 750 out of our textbook on "Tensions in East Asia." While reading this, keep the following questions in mind:
 * Describe the relationship between Japan and the United States in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
 * Why do you think the US was so concerned about Japanese expansionism into Southeast Asia?
 * Do you think the US did the right thing by drawing a firm line against Japanese aggression? Be prepared to explain your stance.
 * Would the US have been justified in launching a pre-emptive strike against the Japanese? Why or why not?

In dealing with the second question, we'll look primarily at internment (although, discrimination against Japanese Americans took place on a private and individual level as well). To start off, everyone will read the following document: WWII Japanese Internment Background

Next, we will break into two groups. Each group will be asked to read/examine their documents and then answer the following question in their journals:

//Journal Prompt #1 - Based on what you have read so far (after either reading the Group I or Group II docs), what do you think about Japanese-American internment during World War II?//

//**Group I Documents**// Instructions to All Persons of Japanese Ancestry Photo of Japanese Internment barracks from US War Relocation Authority

Letter from Kagawa, Interned prisoner>> Dr. Seuss - "Waiting for the Signal from Home" cartoon
 * //Group II Documents//**

Finally, we will discuss each group's documents as a class, and then examine the US Supreme Court Case and answer one last journal question:

//Journal Prompt #2 - After hearing about the other group's documents and after reading the final document (Korematzu v. US summary), how did your thoughts change on internment? Why?//

Many of you, after reading this, may want to read more about this topic. Here are some supplementary links which you might find interesting:

War Relocation Works Pamphlet Topaz Internment Camp 'Dos' and 'Don'ts' Watercolor painting called 'Home' by interned person