Korematsu Research Paper

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At particular times in our nation’s history, citizens have been met with obstacles established by their very own government. These roadblocks,” large or small, can infringe on basic civil liberties ensured by the Constitution. The case of Korematsu v. United States took place during a pivotally important time in our nation’s history. A few years prior to the Supreme Court case, the U.S. entered into World War II wit the bombing of Pearl Harbor. On February 19, 1942, a mere two months after the Japanese offensive, Fresident Franklin D. Roosevelt issued the infamous Executive Order 9066. This mighty exercise of presidential power authorized the Secretary of War, along with various military commanders, “to prescribe military areas in such places and of such extent as he or the appropriate Military Commander may determine, from which any or all persons may be excluded.” (his matters) Eventually, this led to the deportation of Japanese-Americans living in the West Coast to internment camps. Clearly, this oppressive order was born from paranoia and long-standing racism found in the very citizens of the United States, all the way up to those in the highest positions of command. Lobbyists placed immense pressure on both the President and Congress to meet this goal; the Japanese were seen as a threat to national security, even if they held no ties to their mother country, or were themselves naturalized citizens of the United States. At first, the Western Defense Command encouraged voluntary evacuation, but eventually forced the removal of Japanese residents. In the course of six months, “approximately 122,000 men, women, and children were moved to assembly centers. They were then evacuated to and confined in isolated, fenced, ... ... middle of paper ... ...to remain silent, that anything he says can be used against him in a court of law, that he has the right to the presence of an attorney, and that if he cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed for him prior to any questioning if he so desires.” (uscourts) These are known as the Miranda Rights, and their breadth of impact on society and the judicial system cannot be understated. Before being officially arrested, one must be notified of these rights by the arresting law enforcement official. The phrase is heard in countless television shows and movies; it is therefore safe to assume that a vast majority of Americans are aware of the phrase, and subsequently the rights which they are entitled to upon facing interrogation. This prohibits law enforcement officials from infringing on these fundamental civil rights and prevents forced confessions. The impact

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