Japanese-American internment

Japanese-American internment refers to the forced relocation and imprisonment of around 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II, primarily from the West Coast. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the U.S. government feared espionage and sabotage. As a result, individuals of Japanese descent, many of whom were American citizens, were placed in cramped internment camps, losing their homes, businesses, and personal property. This decision has since been widely criticized for its violation of civil rights and is seen as a cautionary tale about the impact of prejudice and hysteria during wartime.