The United States government won the Korematsu case, as the Supreme Court upheld Fred Korematsu's conviction.
Understanding the Korematsu Case
The Korematsu v. United States case, decided in 1944, was a landmark Supreme Court decision regarding the constitutionality of Executive Order 9066, which authorized the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
The Parties Involved
- Fred Korematsu: An American-born citizen of Japanese descent. He defied the military order by refusing to leave his home in San Leandro, California, leading to his conviction.
- The United States Government: Represented by the prosecution, it defended the necessity and legality of the wartime exclusion orders.
The Supreme Court's Decision
After his conviction, Fred Korematsu appealed his case. It eventually reached the Supreme Court in 1944. The Court, in a 6-3 majority ruling, upheld Korematsu's conviction. This meant the Court affirmed the government's power to enforce the exclusion orders during wartime, effectively ruling against Korematsu's challenge.
Case Outcome at a Glance
| Party | Supreme Court Outcome |
|---|---|
| Fred Korematsu | Lost (Conviction upheld) |
| U.S. Government | Won (Action affirmed) |
This decision, although upholding the government's actions at the time, has since been widely regarded as a grave error in American legal history and a significant stain on civil liberties.
