Original Promptmake a worksheet for students to prepare them for a discussion on japanese internment and the atomic bombs
This resource explores the ethical complexities of total war, particularly through the lens of Japanese internment and the atomic bomb during World War II. It begins with the historical context surrounding Executive Order 9066, illustrating how xenophobia led to the forced removal of 120,000 Japanese Americans, many of whom were U.S. citizens. Analyzing primary source documents helps students construct evidence-based arguments about the violations of civil liberties and the justification based on 'military necessity.' The learning resource includes a reflective analysis of the treatment of Japanese Americans compared to German and Italian aliens and prompts discussions on due process suspensions during wartime. Competing perspectives on the decision to drop atomic bombs are also presented, contrasting military justifications with the human impact of these actions, allowing students to critically reflect on the ethical implications of such military strategies.