Internowanie Japończyków w USA w czasie II wojny światowej. Próba nowego spojrzenia

Abstract

The February 1942 unprecedented decision of the American government (Executive Order 9066) caused the relocation of 100–120 thousand Japanese Americans from the West Coast to specially designated for that purpose exclusion, detention, internment, etc. camps. The action was conducted in the atmosphere of hysteria after Pearl Harbor and it was to be justified by alleged disloyalty and espionage of the enemy (i.e. Japan and the Japanese Emperor) as well as war conditions and national security. This forcible relocation caused numerous abuses and breaches of the law by various agencies. It was the testi- mony of massive civil rights violations (the majority of the detained and interned were U.S. citizens) and of violations of the Constitution. With time these acti- vities were sued and found unjustified and illegal. This fact was the basis of later demands of reparations for the suffered, mainly material, losses (redress movement). Congress hearings of the 1980s and Oral History Projects, i.e. historical documentation concerning the camps, played an important role in the examination of the subject of the Japanese Americans’ internment. The issue, for years passed over in silence and almost forgotten, with time found its reflection in and was discussed by the media – especially American television and the press. It resulted in finding these activities illegal (Civil Liberties Act) and issuing of an official apology for this shameful act of the American government during World War II to Japanese Americans.