Internment and the Constitution

Question 2 • AVAHS 26-27 CCPS SS US History Gr 11 (45.0810000) YL IC (Fall)

Why were Japanese Americans living on the West Coast interned after the Pearl Harbor attack?

Answer

Many community leaders feared that Japanese Americans might be attacked by angry mobs and needed a safe place to live.

Japanese Americans were interned so that they might more easily contribute to the war effort.

Many people feared the presence of Japanese spies after Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor.

Japanese Americans were interned to prevent them from joining the German side in the European campaign.

Explanation

After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, fear and prejudice led many people on the West Coast to suspect Japanese Americans of spying or helping Japan, despite a lack of evidence that they posed a threat. The government used these fears to justify forcibly removing and incarcerating Japanese Americans. Choice C, fear of Japanese spies, best explains why they were interned.

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