What were Internment Camps used for during World War II?

Internment camps during World War II were primarily established to detain Japanese Americans, particularly after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The U.S. government, driven by fear and suspicion, forcibly relocated and incarcerated approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of whom were U.S. citizens, due to concerns about national security and espionage. These camps, often located in remote areas, stripped individuals of their personal freedoms and subjected them to harsh living conditions.

The historical context surrounding these actions highlights significant civil rights violations, as many families lost their homes, businesses, and livelihoods. This internment is now recognized as a grave injustice and is emblematic of wartime hysteria leading to discrimination against a specific ethnic group. The decision to detain Japanese Americans was not based on evidence of disloyalty but rather on racial prejudice, a fact that has led to ongoing discussions and reflections on civil liberties during times of national crisis.