What were the policies toward Japanese Americans during WWII?
During World War II, the policies toward Japanese Americans were discriminatory and unjust. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forced relocation and internment of over 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry, including American citizens and permanent residents. These individuals were forcibly removed from their homes and businesses on the West Coast and transported to remote internment camps without trial or due process of law.
The internment camps were often overcrowded, with poor living conditions and inadequate medical care. Japanese Americans were also subject to racist treatment and discrimination. Despite the fact that many Japanese Americans served in the US military during the war, they were often viewed with suspicion and portrayed as disloyal or potential spies.
After the war, the internment camps were closed, and Japanese Americans were released. However, many faced ongoing discrimination and struggled to regain their homes, businesses, and personal belongings that were confiscated during the internment period. It wasn't until 1988 that the US government formally apologized and provided redress payments to surviving Japanese American internees.
What was the Asian Exclusion Act of 1924?
The Asian Exclusion Act of 1924, also known as the Immigration Act of 1924, was a federal law that restricted immigration of people from Asia, particularly China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. The act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Calvin Coolidge.
The law established strict quotas on the number of immigrants who could enter the US each year, based on their country of origin and the number of people already in the US from that country. The quotas were heavily weighted against Asian countries, with only a small number of immigrants allowed from those regions.
The Asian Exclusion Act was a reflection of the growing anti-immigrant sentiment and racism in the US at the time. Supporters of the act claimed that it was necessary to protect American jobs and preserve the country's cultural and racial identity. However, opponents argued that the act was discriminatory and violated the principles of freedom and equality enshrined in the US Constitution.
The law remained in effect until it was repealed by the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965.
What group faced increased discrimination during World War I?
During World War I, German Americans faced increased discrimination in the United States due to their ancestral ties to Germany, which was an enemy of the United States during the war. The United States government and many Americans suspected German Americans of being sympathetic to the German cause, and there were fears that they would act as spies or saboteurs.
German Americans were subjected to surveillance and harassment by the government, as well as by their fellow citizens. Many were required to register as "enemy aliens" and were subjected to travel and work restrictions. German-language newspapers were censored or shut down, and German goods were boycotted.
In some cases, German Americans were subjected to violence and even lynching by mobs who suspected them of being disloyal to the United States. The discrimination faced by German Americans during World War I was similar to that experienced by Japanese Americans during World War II, as both groups were targeted based on perceived links to enemy countries.
What were some of the main causes of the Great Depression?
The main causes of the Great Depression were a combination of economic, political, and social factors that resulted in a massive economic downturn that began in 1929 and lasted more than a decade. Some of the key causes of the Great Depression include:
1. Stock market crash: In October 1929, the stock market crashed, wiping out billions of dollars of wealth and triggering a panic among investors.
2. Overproduction and underconsumption: In the years leading up to the Great Depression, there was a significant increase in the production of goods, but wages did not keep pace with this increased production, which led to a surplus of goods and reduced demand for them.
3. Unequal distribution of wealth: The wealth generated during the 1920s was concentrated in the hands of a small number of people, while many others struggled to make ends meet. This led to reduced consumer spending, which furthered the economic downturn.
4. Bank failures: In the aftermath of the stock market crash, banks began to fail due to their investments in the stock market and the withdrawal of funds by panicked investors.
5. Government policies: The government's response to the economic crisis was initially slow and inadequate, which contributed to the depth and duration of the Great Depression.
6. International factors: The Great Depression was a global phenomenon, and it was fueled by factors such as the collapse of international trade, high tariffs, and reduced demand for American products abroad.
These factors contributed to a cycle of economic decline, leading to high unemployment, business failures, and widespread poverty. It took several years of government intervention and a global war to pull the world out of the Great Depression.
What 2 types of workers did the IWW try to unionize? Why did they try to help these workers?
The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), also known as the "Wobblies," aimed to organize and represent two main types of workers - unskilled workers and migrant workers. The IWW believed that these workers were among the most exploited and oppressed in the capitalist system, and that their organization could help to create a more equitable and just society.
Unskilled workers, such as laborers and migratory farmworkers, were often excluded from other unions and collective bargaining agreements. They faced low wages, dangerous working conditions, and little job security. The IWW saw the unionization of unskilled workers as essential for the creation of a larger labor movement and for the eventual overthrow of capitalism.
Migrant workers, both domestic and international, also faced significant challenges in terms of unionization and labor rights. Many migrant workers were not protected by labor laws, and their temporary status made it difficult for them to organize for better wages and conditions. The IWW sought to help these workers by providing them with organizing resources and by pushing for stronger labor protections.
Overall, the IWW aimed to create a more inclusive and democratic labor movement that would represent workers of all skill levels and backgrounds. They saw the unionization of both unskilled and migrant workers as essential for achieving this goal.