Ep 10. Korematsu v. United States

Liberty on Trial in America: Cases That Defined Freedom is a documentary series that takes an in-depth look at famous American court cases that have shaped the country's legal system. In season 1, episode 10, which is named Korematsu v. United States, the series examines one of the most controversial cases in American history.

The episode delves into the case of Fred Korematsu, a Japanese-American man who was living on the West Coast of the United States during World War II. In 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forced relocation and internment of Japanese-Americans living in the U.S. to concentration camps in remote areas of the country.

Korematsu, who was born in Oakland, California and had never been to Japan, refused to comply with the order and went into hiding. He was eventually caught and arrested, and his case went to trial in San Francisco in 1943. Korematsu was found guilty of violating the government's order, and he was sent to a concentration camp in Utah.

The episode explores the legal arguments made in the case and the controversial verdict. Korematsu's lawyers argued that the government's order violated his constitutional rights, including his right to due process of law and his right to equal protection under the law. However, the government argued that the order was necessary for national security reasons, and that the rights of Japanese-Americans could be limited during times of war.

The episode also examines the aftermath of the Korematsu decision, which has been widely criticized by legal scholars. In 1983, a federal judge overturned Korematsu's conviction, and in 2018, the Supreme Court officially overruled the decision.

Overall, Liberty on Trial in America: Cases That Defined Freedom season 1 episode 10 provides a fascinating look at one of the most controversial cases in American legal history. The episode explores the legal arguments made in the case and the various factors that led to the controversial verdict. It also examines the legacy of the case and its impact on American society today.