During World War 2, the U.S. government forcibly relocated people of Japanese descent to internment camps, violating Fred Korematsu's civil rights. Korematsu challenged this action in Korematsu v. United States, arguing it violated his 14th Amendment protections. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled 6-3 in favor of the government, agreeing the need to protect against espionage outweighed the civil rights of Japanese Americans. While some supported the ruling out of wartime fears, others were troubled the government could override constitutional protections.

2. o During World War 2 the American
government had the right to exile
people of Japanese decent to
internment camps. The government
stated that this was necessary for
national decent. Fred Korematsu
refused to abide and was then
arrested. He believed this to be a
violation of his rights.

3. o Korematsu brought this case to the
Supreme Court because he believed in
violated his 14th Amendment.
o This amendment prohibits the
government from taking a persons life,
liberty, or property.

4. o Did the President and Congress go
beyond their war powers by
implementing exclusion and restricting
the rights of Americans of Japanese
descent?

5. o This case was heard by the Supreme
Court on October 11, 1944.
o The court made its decision on
December 18, 1944.

6. o The Supreme Court agreed with the
government.
o Supreme Court judge Hugo Black stated
that the need to protect against
espionage was more important than
people of Japanese decent and
Korematsu’s rights.
o Total, there were 6 votes for the United
States and 3 against.

7. o The people in these camps remained
confined as the war continued.
o Confirmed by the American People who
were afraid that the people of Japanese
decent were spying. They believe the
government had reason because it was
a time of war.
o Others were appalled that the
government overruled an amendment.