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=Welcome to Your Trial Debate Preparation Wiki= This is your wiki for building a databank of information for your groups trial/debate and to have discussions related to the information you want to use or share. You will find resources to help you with this task under the page Resources. My role will be to support your development of the class wiki and to guide your efforts should you need it. You are divided into the following groups and the links are in the left navigation list of pages: Japanese Witnesses - Testimonials US Government - Position, Evidence and arguments Supreme Court Judges - Research and deliberation

Instructions in preparation for the trial/debate:
//**The following questions should be carefully considered during the trial process. Each group will post their answers to these questions at the trial's conclusion to the class wiki.**//

1. What specific sources of military intelligence both before and after the Pearl Harbor attack led American decisionmakers to believe that Japanese Americans represented a threat to the U.S. war effort?

2. Did any high-level government officials ever attempt to justify relocation as a protective measure for Japanese Americans that was necessary because of the heightened racial friction induced by wartime tensions? If so, do you feel there was any validity to this claim? Explain your answer.

3. Japanese Americans of the World War II era are often described by the terms "Issei," "Nisei," and "Kibei." Explain these terms. How loyal were each of these groups toward the American government during the war against Japan?

4. Where were the internment camps located? What sort of living conditions did the internees experience within the camps, and what was the length of their confinement?

5. What happened to the businesses, land, homes, and personal possessions of the relocated Japanese Americans?

6. Can you describe some specific incidents or conflicts which took place between Japanese Americans and government officials during the war?

7. What constitutional rights, if any, were violated by the federal government? Did the federal government ever formally acknowledge that the rights of Japanese Americans had been violated? Did the government ever attempt to compensate Japanese Americans for wrongs suffered during the war?

8. Do you feel that the decision to relocate Japanese Americans was justified because it occurred during a time of war?

Process

 * First meet with the other members of your group and read through the directions that appear on the "Group Instructions" page shown below. Then, based on those instructions, your group can begin the research that will produce information needed for the trial and post it to their wiki page. During this initial research stage, feel free to discuss with other groups whose research might in some way overlap with yours.
 * Once the research phase is well under way, a synchronous general meeting including all class members will be held to set guidelines for the trial. Items discussed at this meeting should include: a witness list (for both prosecution and defense); time limits (for opening statements, witness interrogations, rebuttals, conferences, etc.); and final judgement criteria.
 * On the day of the synchronous trial, each student will carry out his or her role in the proceedings, and then judges will render their final verdict.

Group Instructions

 * Judges:** Each judge should research the legal system of the country he represents. Then judges will decide together the trial format and judgement criteria


 * Prosecutors:** One of the major goals of this group will be to decide on the charges against the United States government. In so doing, they will have to examine the Constitution itself, as well as any specific laws that might be relevant to this case. They also will need to compile a list of key witnesses, and determine the best order in which to call them to the witness stand. To build a convincing case, this group will need to acquire a strong knowledge of relevant events occurring both before and after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.


 * Defense:** The government will provide its defense lawyers with ample resources and assistance. However, in order to maintain credibility the defense team must take care not to utilize evidence that will show an obvious bias in favor of the accused. They must also avoid using evidence to which the prosecution does not have access. A knowledge of the Constitution is a basic cornerstone to the defense, especially the section(s) pertaining to wartime circumstances.


 * Witnesses:** Witnesses are responsible for researching biographical information on the individual characters they will play. Both the prosecution and defense teams may call on witnesses more than once if necessary. It is suggested that friendly witnessed work closely with lawyers so that their presentations will be well-informed, and so that opposing lawyers will be challenged to perform well during cross-examinations. In establishing their characters, witnesses should pay attention to details such as accents, cultural customs, political biases, etc. Their strong acting performances will add much color to the trial proceedings.