Additional Assignments

1. Based on the evidence presented in this unit, was the decision to relocate and confine the Japanese Americans justified? What lessons learned from the Japanese American experience apply to current questions of racial profiling, national security, and individual rights? Write an essay analyzing the internment experience during World War II, but also consider modern applications. Be sure to provide arguments from the documents to support your answer.
2. While the experience of the Japanese Americans during World War II was unique, they were not the only immigrant group that was affected by the war. Using online and library resources, research the experience of Italian Americans and German Americans during World War II. How were these groups treated? Was there justification for their treatment? How did the experience of the Japanese Americans differ from that of the Germans and Italians? Why do you think the groups fared differently? Consider breaking the class into groups to research the different populations and have each group present their findings to the rest of the class.