Korematsu v. United States October 11, 12, 1944

1. Korematsu v. United StatesOctober 11, 12, 1944 By: Cyndavia Mckoy

2. Facts of the case • After Pearl Harbor was bombed in December, the military worried that the Japanese would attack the U.S mainland. • President F.D.R signed an order forcing ALL of the Japanese and Japanese Americans on the west coast into internment camps. • One Japanese American moved and claimed to be a Mexican-American, attempting to avoid the camp.

3. Facts of the Case (cont.) • Later Fred Korematsu was convicted and arrested because he violated an order. • He felt that he was being discriminated against because of his race.

4. Constitutional Issue • The issue is that Korematsu is being discriminated against and that the government isn’t treating him fairly in this situation, which goes against what the 5th amendment states.

5. What was the Supreme Court’s ruling? • In a divided 6–3 decision, Korematsu’s conviction in late 1944 was upheld.

6. Majority Opinion • Mr. Justice Black delivered the opinion of the court. • The opinion basically states that doing what is best for the U.S and military comes first. • “The successful prosecution of the war requires every possible protection against sabotage to national-defense material, national-defense premises, and national-defense utilities ."

7. Dissenting Opinion • Yes, there is a dissenting opinion and Mr. Justice Murphy wrote it. • He feels as if the situation wasn’t justified. • Murphy also said “racial discrimination in any form and in any degree has no justifiable part whatever in our democratic way of life.” • He thinks that all people of this nation are kin in some way.

8. Is this case a “landmark” Supreme Court decision? • It enforces that one race shouldn’t be discriminated against if they are citizens. • They have the same rights as every other person in America.

9. Political Cartoon