USA HISTORY

During World War II, many Japanese Americans living on the West Coast were relocated to detention centers primarily because they

(A) were known spies for Japan

(B) ** were seen as a security threat

(C) refused to serve in the United States military

(D) expressed their support for Italy and Germany

Concept note-1: -The attack on Pearl Harbor also launched a rash of fear about national security, especially on the West Coast. In February 1942, just two months later, President Roosevelt, as commander-in-chief, issued Executive Order 9066 that resulted in the internment of Japanese Americans.

Concept note-2: -Many Americans worried that citizens of Japanese ancestry would act as spies or saboteurs for the Japanese government. Fear-not evidence-drove the U.S. to place over 127, 000 Japanese-Americans in concentration camps for the duration of WWII. Over 127, 000 United States citizens were imprisoned during World War II.

Concept note-3: -More than 112, 000 Japanese Americans who were living on the West Coast were incarcerated in camps which were located in its interior. In Hawaii (which was under martial law), where more than 150, 000 Japanese Americans comprised over one-third of the territory’s population, only 1, 200 to 1, 800 were incarcerated.

Concept note-4: -Japanese internment camps were established during World War II by President Franklin D. Roosevelt through his Executive Order 9066. From 1942 to 1945, it was the policy of the U.S. government that people of Japanese descent, including U.S. citizens, would be incarcerated in isolated camps.