Since its inception in 1775, the term “freedom” has been the rallying cry of the people of the United States; however, “freedom” was not by definition equal to all people in the United States. We have made a lot of progress in the area of ​​freedom, but one could argue that the term “freedom” was only for the white male/female population of the United States. We took our first step with Abraham Lincoln and the abolition of slavery, then with the Progressive Era and women's rights, however, anyone who was not of American or "white" descent, was persecuted in one way or another . In 1942, President Roosevelt, under the negative influence of fear among the population and many of his opponents, signed the executive order ordering the transfer of approximately 120,000 Japanese-American citizens to internment camps to “protect” our country from his attacks. "enemies". With the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 by the Empire of Japan, panic spread across the United States and many Americans, including government officials, became paranoid that anyone of Japanese descent would actually be loyal to their homeland instead of the United States of America. General DeWitt specifically said in a January 4, 1942 conference to Mr. Rowe, who was working for the Attorney General at the time: “The threat is constant and becoming more and more dangerous. I have little faith that enemy aliens (referring to immigrants from Japan, Germany, and Italy or any of these descendants) are law-abiding or loyal in any sense of the word. Some of them, yes; many, no. Especially the Japanese. I have no faith in their loyalty." At this conference, General DeWitt, requested that it be granted to him by…halfway through the document…the Constitution referred to states that “all persons born or naturalized in the United States…are citizens of the United States… No State shall make or enforce any law which shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws,” however, they were not afforded equal protection because the government acted solely on the basis that they were Japanese and of Japanese descent. Additionally, while some were able to sell their homes and businesses, many didn't have time and left everything they had behind. They were not paid for the loss of property or personal possessions after being released from the internment camps. When the government forced Japanese Americans from their homes, businesses, and jobs, they were deprived of their freedom and property.