Japanese-Americans and the U.S. Constitution: Topic 5 — Service
In this section of A More Perfect Union, an online exhibition from the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, students will learn about the 25,000 Japanese Americans who served in U.S. military units during World War II. This section uses artifacts from the Museum's collections, primary source documents, photographs and oral histories to tell the stories of the military service and sacrifice of these brave men as well as the irony that they were fighting to preserve the world's freedom while their families were imprisoned. Their combat record aided the post-war acceptance of Japanese Americans in American society and helped many people to recognize the injustice of wartime internment. A More Perfect Union focuses on the experiences of Japanese Americans who were placed in internment camps during World War II.
National Standards
Historical Thinking (Grades K-4)
- Historical Thinking Standard 2: Historical Comprehension View Details
- H. Draw upon the visual data presented in photographs, paintings, cartoons, and architectural drawings. (NSH (K-4) Th2H)
- Historical Thinking Standard 4: Historical Research Capabilities View Details
- B. Obtain historical data. (NSH (K-4) Th4B)
- Historical Thinking Standard 5: Historical Issues-Analysis and Decision-Making View Details
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A. Identify problems and dilemmas in the past. (NSH (K-4) Th5A)
B. Analyze the interests and values of the various people involved. (NSH (K-4) Th5B)
C. Identify causes of the problem or dilemma. (NSH (K-4) Th5C)
Standards in History (Grades K-4)
- Topic 1: Living and Working Together in Families and Communities, Now and Long Ago; Standard 2: History of Students' Local Community and How Communities in North America Varied Long Ago View Details
- Topic 1: Living and Working Together in Families and Communities, Now and Long Ago; Standard 2A: The student understands the history of his or her local community. (NSH (K-4) HT1S2A)
- Topic 2: The History of Students' Own State or Region; Standard 3: The People, Events, Problems, and Ideas that Created the History of Their State View Details
- Topic 2: The History of Students' Own State or Region; Standard 3D: The student understands the interactions among all these groups throughout the history of his or her state. (NSH (K-4) HT2S3D)
- Topic 3: The History of the United States: Democratic Principles and Values and the People from Many Cultures Who Contributed to Its Cultural, Economic, and Political Heritage; Standard 4: How Democratic Values Came to Be, and How They Have Been Exemplified by People, Events, and Symbols View Details
- Topic 3: The History of the United States: Democratic Principles and Values and the People from Many Cultures Who Contributed to Its Cultural, Economic, and Political Heritage; Standard 4B: Demonstrate understanding of ordinary people who have exemplified values and principles of American democracy. (NSH (K-4) HT3S4B)
United States History Standards (Grades 5-12)
- Era 8: The Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945) View Details
- Era 8: The Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945); Standard 3: The causes and course of World War II, the character of the war at home and abroad, and its reshaping of the U.S. role in world affairs (NSH (5-12) USHE8S3)
Historical Thinking (Grades 5-12)
- Historical Thinking Standard 2: Historical Comprehension View Details
- H. Draw upon the visual, literary, and musical sources. (NSH (5-12) Th2I)
- Historical Thinking Standard 4: Historical Research Capabilities View Details
- B. Obtain historical data from a variety of sources. (NSH (5-12) Th4B)
- Historical Thinking Standard 5: Historical Issues-Analysis and Decision-Making View Details
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A. Identify problems and dilemmas in the past. (NSH (5-12) Th5A)
B. Marshal evidence of antecedent circumstances. (NSH (5-12) Th5B)
C. Identify relevant historical antecedents. (NSH (5-12) Th5C)
Keywords
service; military; military history; combat; army; US army; United States army; armed forces; armed forces history; 442nd Regimental Combat Team; 442nd Regiment; 100th Infantry Battalion; lost battalion; sacrifice; Veterans Day; Memorial Day; soldiers; soldier's life; troops; combat; Military Intelligence Service; MIS; Europe; European theater; France; Italy; Pacific; Pacific theater; honors; awards; medals; irony; Japanese American; internment camp; concentration camp; World War II; Asian American; racism; discrimination; injustice; prejudice; civil rights; citizenship; A More Perfect Union; imprisonment; internment; internees; relocation; Constitution; constitutional issues; forced removal; stereotypes; segregation; incarceration;
