What was the consequence of Japanese internment during World War II?

The forced relocation of Japanese Americans during World War II was a significant consequence of the internment policies implemented by the U.S. government. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, fear and prejudice against Japanese Americans led to Executive Order 9066, which authorized the removal of thousands of individuals of Japanese descent from the West Coast. This action resulted in the forced relocation of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of whom were U.S. citizens, to internment camps.

The experience of internment had profound and lasting impacts on not only those who were interned but also on their communities and the broader American society. Many lost their homes, businesses, and properties due to the abrupt relocation. Although some communities might have banded together in support during this challenging time, the overall experience was one of significant disruption and trauma, rather than strengthening.

Understanding this consequence of Japanese internment requires recognizing the immense violation of civil liberties that occurred and the social and psychological effects it had on Japanese American families and the community as a whole. This historical event highlights the themes of discrimination, wartime hysteria, and the struggle for civil rights that have shaped California's and the nation's history.