Why were Japanese-Canadians' rights restricted?

• A. Because of language differences
• B. Because of economic status
• C. Because of the bombing of Pearl Harbour
• D. Because of conscription

Answer: (C)

During wartime, governments may restrict civil liberties to address security concerns. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Canada faced fears that people of Japanese descent on the West Coast could be loyal to Japan or act against Canada. Because of those security concerns, authorities imposed measures that limited the rights of Japanese-Canadians, including evacuation from the coast, internment in camps, and property confiscation. This context makes the bombing of Pearl Harbor the best explanation for why these rights were restricted. The other options don’t explain the broad push to curtail civil liberties: language differences, economic status, or conscription were not the main reasons for these wartime measures.