The first excerpt is from the 1944 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Korematsu v. United States.
To cast this case into outlines of racial prejudice, without reference to the real military dangers which were presented, merely confuses the issue. Korematsu was not excluded from the Military Area because of hostility to him or his race. He was excluded because we are at war with the Japanese Empire, because the properly constituted military authorities feared an invasion of our West Coast and felt constrained to take proper security measures.... There was evidence of disloyalty on the part of some, the military authorities considered that the need for action was great, and time was short. We cannot-by availing ourselves of the calm perspective of hindsight-now say that, at that time, these actions were unjustified.
The second excerpt is from Justice Frank Murphy's dissent in the Korematsu case.
I dissent, therefore, from this legalization of racism. Racial discrimination in any form and in any degree has no justifiable part whatever in our democratic way of life. It is unattractive in any setting, but it is utterly revolting among a free people who have embraced the principles set forth in the Constitution of the United States. All residents of this nation are kin in some way by blood or culture to a foreign land. Yet they are primarily and necessarily a part of the new and distinct civilization of the United States. They must, accordingly, be treated at all times as the heirs of the American experiment, and as entitled to all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution.
How does the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling differ from Justice Murphy's dissent?
- A. Only Justice Murphy's dissent acknowledged the dangers to the United States of having citizens from foreign lands.
- B. Only the Court's ruling acknowledged that the actions of fearful U.S. authorities can endanger the civil rights of citizens.
- C. Only the Court's ruling contended that Korematsu was ordered held in an internment camp because he was disloyal to the United States during time of war.
- D. Only Justice Murphy's dissent contended that U.S. internment camps were a clear-cut example of racial prejudice.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Justice Murphy's dissent emphasized that the internment camps represented blatant racial prejudice, highlighting the unjust targeting of Japanese Americans based solely on their ethnicity. This perspective contrasts sharply with the majority opinion, which focused on national security concerns without addressing the racial implications. Option A is incorrect as both perspectives recognize the potential dangers of foreign nationals, albeit in different contexts. Option B misrepresents the majority's stance, which did not explicitly acknowledge civil rights violations. Option C inaccurately simplifies the Court's ruling, which did not solely attribute internment to disloyalty.
Justice Murphy's dissent emphasized that the internment camps represented blatant racial prejudice, highlighting the unjust targeting of Japanese Americans based solely on their ethnicity. This perspective contrasts sharply with the majority opinion, which focused on national security concerns without addressing the racial implications. Option A is incorrect as both perspectives recognize the potential dangers of foreign nationals, albeit in different contexts. Option B misrepresents the majority's stance, which did not explicitly acknowledge civil rights violations. Option C inaccurately simplifies the Court's ruling, which did not solely attribute internment to disloyalty.
Other Related Questions
According to the information in the first graph, which statement correctly describes the period from 2006 to 2008?
- A. Gross farm income continued the decline that had characterized previous years.
- B. Gross farm income increased despite increases in production costs.
- C. Increases in production costs caused gross farm income to decline.
- D. Decreases in production costs continued throughout this period.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
During the period from 2006 to 2008, gross farm income saw an increase, even as production costs rose. This indicates that farmers managed to offset higher expenses with increased revenue. Option A is incorrect as it suggests a continuation of decline, which contradicts the data showing growth in income. Option C misinterprets the relationship between rising costs and income, as income actually increased despite those costs. Option D is inaccurate because it implies a consistent decrease in production costs, which is not supported by the graph indicating rising expenses during this timeframe.
During the period from 2006 to 2008, gross farm income saw an increase, even as production costs rose. This indicates that farmers managed to offset higher expenses with increased revenue. Option A is incorrect as it suggests a continuation of decline, which contradicts the data showing growth in income. Option C misinterprets the relationship between rising costs and income, as income actually increased despite those costs. Option D is inaccurate because it implies a consistent decrease in production costs, which is not supported by the graph indicating rising expenses during this timeframe.
Which statement best describes the action of the people in the photograph?
- A. They are utilizing an 8th Amendment right to secure the release of a colleague who was jailed unfairly.
- B. They are utilizing a 6th Amendment right to secure a fair trial for a jailed associate.
- C. They are utilizing a 1st Amendment right to secure equality under the law.
- D. They are utilizing a 14th Amendment right to secure the opportunity to vote in federal elections.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The action depicted in the photograph aligns with the 1st Amendment, which guarantees freedoms concerning speech, assembly, and the right to petition the government. The individuals are likely advocating for equality under the law, a fundamental principle of democratic society. Option A incorrectly references the 8th Amendment, which focuses on protection against excessive bail and cruel punishment, not the right to protest for a colleague's release. Option B misapplies the 6th Amendment, which ensures the right to a fair trial, rather than addressing broader issues of equality. Option D inaccurately connects the situation to the 14th Amendment, which deals with citizenship rights and equal protection, not specifically voting rights.
The action depicted in the photograph aligns with the 1st Amendment, which guarantees freedoms concerning speech, assembly, and the right to petition the government. The individuals are likely advocating for equality under the law, a fundamental principle of democratic society. Option A incorrectly references the 8th Amendment, which focuses on protection against excessive bail and cruel punishment, not the right to protest for a colleague's release. Option B misapplies the 6th Amendment, which ensures the right to a fair trial, rather than addressing broader issues of equality. Option D inaccurately connects the situation to the 14th Amendment, which deals with citizenship rights and equal protection, not specifically voting rights.
Which feature of the U.S. system of government did de Tocqueville believe might cause conflict in society?
- A. The majority is able to achieve special rights.
- B. The minority is able to block popular legislation.
- C. Legislators must represent minority interests.
- D. Legislators sometimes act against majority rule.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
De Tocqueville observed that when the majority in a democracy can impose its will, it might lead to the oppression of minority groups, creating societal conflict. This reflects his concern about "tyranny of the majority," where the dominant group's interests overshadow the rights of others. Option B is incorrect because while minorities can influence legislation, de Tocqueville focused more on majority power. Option C misrepresents his views; he acknowledged the importance of minority representation but did not see it as a source of conflict. Option D is also inaccurate, as de Tocqueville emphasized the potential for the majority to dominate rather than legislators opposing the majority.
De Tocqueville observed that when the majority in a democracy can impose its will, it might lead to the oppression of minority groups, creating societal conflict. This reflects his concern about "tyranny of the majority," where the dominant group's interests overshadow the rights of others. Option B is incorrect because while minorities can influence legislation, de Tocqueville focused more on majority power. Option C misrepresents his views; he acknowledged the importance of minority representation but did not see it as a source of conflict. Option D is also inaccurate, as de Tocqueville emphasized the potential for the majority to dominate rather than legislators opposing the majority.
Which sentence from the passage provides evidence that the Veterans Administration was involved in the development of suburban communities?
- A. "Men returned home from military service, got married, and started families." (paragraph 1)
- B. "Moreover, a separate government program made low-interest mortgage loans available to returning military personnel." (paragraph 4)
- C. "Even so, the success of Levittown depended not only on the efficiency of the Levitt brothers' process but also on the Federal Housing Administration, which guaranteed bank loans to builders." (paragraph 4)
- D. "William and his brother Alfred first gained experience in assembly-line techniques while building government housing for defense workers during World War II." (paragraph 2)
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B clearly highlights the involvement of the Veterans Administration by mentioning a specific government program that provided low-interest mortgage loans to returning military personnel. This directly links the agency's actions to the development of suburban communities, as affordable housing financing is crucial for homeownership. Option A discusses the general trend of returning veterans starting families but does not specifically reference the Veterans Administration's role. Option C mentions the Federal Housing Administration, not the Veterans Administration, which makes it irrelevant to the question. Option D focuses on the Levitt brothers’ prior experience and does not address the Veterans Administration's involvement in suburban development.
Option B clearly highlights the involvement of the Veterans Administration by mentioning a specific government program that provided low-interest mortgage loans to returning military personnel. This directly links the agency's actions to the development of suburban communities, as affordable housing financing is crucial for homeownership. Option A discusses the general trend of returning veterans starting families but does not specifically reference the Veterans Administration's role. Option C mentions the Federal Housing Administration, not the Veterans Administration, which makes it irrelevant to the question. Option D focuses on the Levitt brothers’ prior experience and does not address the Veterans Administration's involvement in suburban development.