In dealing with matters relating to the prosecution and progress of a war, we must accord great respect
and consideration to the judgments of the military authorities who are on the scene and who have full
knowledge of the military facts. . . .
At the same time, however, it is essential that there be definite limits to military discretion, especially
where martial law has not been declared. Individuals must not be left impoverished of their constitutional
rights on a plea of military necessity that has neither substance nor support. . . .
. . . the order deprives all those within its scope of the equal protection of the laws as guaranteed by the
Fifth Amendment. It further deprives these individuals of their constitutional rights to live and work where
they will, to establish a home where they choose and to move about freely. In excommunicating them
without benefit of hearings, this order also deprives them of all their constitutional rights to procedural due
process.
A. Briefly explain the context in which the described historical events occurred.
B. Briefly explain the author’s point of view on civil liberties.
C. Briefly explain an example of how an aspect of one of the following conflicts raised similar questions about civil liberties:
Quasi-War with France (1798)
World War I (1917–18)
War on terror (2001–present)