Japanese Internment Camps and Their Effects

The "war to end all wars", or as it is better known as World War I ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. This Treaty was signed by the Allied Nations of Britain, France, Italy and Russia. However, the United States did not sign the treaty. The US felt that the price that Germany had to pay, approximately $33 billion dollars plus the loss of their prime food growing land was too high.

But there was also something attached to the Treaty that the American Senate did not wish to approve. This was the League of Nations. Though, the League was United States President Wilson's dream, the US never joined the League of Nations. But, the League was ratified by other countries in the hope that the world would come together and create a council that could promote international cooperation and achieve peace and security.

The United States felt that the League did not have enough support and power to fulfill its mission. Perhaps they were right, as the US found itself being pulled into another World War in 1941. The story begins with Adolph Hitler, ruling Germany as a dictator, declaring war on Poland. Distressed and outraged by Germany's attack, England and France declare war on Germany.

The US tried to stay out of the war. However, they did support their European Allies in their struggle against Hitler by selling, lending and leasing war supplies.

But, on December 7, 1941, the US was forced into war by the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. The next day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt went on the radio to tell the nation about the attack. His speech began "December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy", and basically convinced the United States to join the war. Within an hour of the speech, Congress had declared war on Japan. Click here to hear an excerpt of the famous Infamy speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt.