Question

The Japanese Americans especially on the west coast were treated badly during the war. Who was responsible for this treatment? What has been done since to atone for it? Is there any correlation between this atonement and the current slave reparation argument?

Answer 1

Hi Flutiee!

During WWII, Japanese Americans on the west coast states were placed in internment camps after the bombing of Pearl Harbor by the U.S. Government in fear that they would collaborate with the Japanese forces.  After the war was over, many of the Japanese Americans were still discriminated against, since Americans were still mad and weary of them.  However, Congress approved for $20,000 to be payed to each surviving camp member in 1988, over 40 years afterwards.  

For the last part of the question, many argue that a correlation can be made, since it was the U.S. government who originally allowed slavery to be maintained.

-WWII History Class TA (Last Year)