Japanese-American Internment in World War II was one of the most controversial events in American history. During World War II, the United States government forcibly relocated over 120,000 Japanese-Americans, including many who were citizens, into internment camps. The government was prompted to do this following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Despite no evidence, Japanese-Americans endured discrimination, loss of property, and significant other hardships.
JAPANESE-AMERICAN INTERNMENT – BACKGROUND
Japanese-Americans are American citizens who are of Japanese heritage. As such, it’s important to consider the history of Japanese immigration into the United States. In fact, Japanese immigration to the United States began to grow significantly in the late 19th century. Many of the Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States in search of economic opportunities. Many of the early Japanese immigrants settled along the west coast of the United States in regions, such as: California, Oregon and Washington. Many also settled in Hawaii.
Japanese immigrants often faced anti-Asian sentiment, which was made worse by fears of economic competition and racial prejudice. For instance, Japanese-Americans were often confined to segregated neighborhoods and were barred from many public facilities and social organizations. Despite this, Japanese-Americans made significant contributions to American society, especially in relation to agriculture and small businesses.
World War II in Europe began on September 1st, 1939 when Nazi Germany invaded the country of Poland. However, the United States did not participate in the fighting until 1941, when it was surprise attacked by the Japanese Imperial Army. More specifically, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor occurred on December 7th, 1941 and caused the United States to immediately join the war effort on the side of the Allied nations. The attack on Pearl Harbor drastically heightened fears among the American public against Japanese-Americans. In fact, due to fear among the American public and paranoia that Americans of Japanese ancestry would remain loyal to Japan, Japanese-Americans were relocated and interned during the remainder of the war.
JAPANESE-AMERICAN INTERNMENT – SUMMARY
Internment means that Japanese-Americans were removed from their homes and property and forced into work camps. For instance, on February 19th, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which authorized the Secretary of War to remove individuals deemed ‘threats to national security’. Though the order did not mention specific ethnicities, it was used almost exclusively against those of Japanese descent. As such, the executive order essentially forces the relocation of Japanese-Americans to the interior of the country and forced them to live in internment camps.
These families were forced to sell their land, homes and possessions at a loss and move to the camps. In fact, some families were given less than 48 hours to sell their possessions. Also, they were forced to only bring with them what they could carry themselves. This meant the Japanese-Americans were forced to sell or abandon much of their property and possessions.
There were ten main internment camps and they were located in remote areas in states such, as: California, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Arkansas. These ten main camps included: Manzanar and Tule Lake (California), Granada (Colorado), Jerome and Rowher (Arkansas), Minidoka (Idaho), Heart Mountain (Wyoming), Topaz (Utah) and Gila River and Poston (Arizona). It should be noted that these were just the internment camps. There were also numerous other ‘assembly’ centers, where Japanese-Americans were detained while enroute to the internment camps.
Life in the camps was difficult. Japanese-American families were forced to live in small, poorly constructed barracks that resembled military-style housing. The barracks had little to no insulation from the temperatures. As such, the buildings were hot in the summer and freezing in the winter. As well, the buildings were built so cheaply, that the thin walls and communal bathrooms, meant that there was little privacy.
The camps were controlled by armed guards and the Japanese-American people were kept behind barbed-wire fences. The people were not allowed to leave for fear that they would act out against the United States. The daily routine for the Japanese-Americans generally centered on work, since the camps were labor camps. For instance, residents were assigned camp jobs, often performing labor, such as: cooking, farming, or maintenance. Food and health care were generally lacking.
Despite the challenges in the camps, the Japanese-American people fostered a sense of community by establishing schools, churches, and more. Schools were established for children, staffed by both internees and government-assigned teachers. However, resources were limited and conditions poor.
By late 1944, as the balance of power in World War II turned in favor of the Allies, the United States government began closing the internment camps. For instance, in December of 1944, the exclusion orders were ended, and Japanese-American internees were allowed to return to their homes. However, many found their property stolen, homes vandalized, or businesses ruined. While the last internment camps closed in 1945, the impacts left on the Japanese-American community were profound and lasting.
JAPANESE-AMERICAN INTERNMENT – SIGNIFICANCE
The internment of Japanese-Americans during the events of World War II was a highly significant event and is still studied today. First, this period of internment had a profound impact on the lives of Japanese-Americans. For example, they lost homes, businesses, and economic opportunities. Many had to start over completely after the war, while also facing ongoing racism and economic hardship. In fact, the hardships faced by Japanese-Americans eventually led to a period of reconciliation in American society, as modern populations struggled to handle historical wrongs. Eventually in 1988, the United States Congress apologized for the event and compensated each survivor $20,000. More specifically, President Ronald Reagan signed the Civil Liberties Act, which offered a formal apology and providing financial compensation. The Civil Liberties Act stated that the internment was based on “race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership.”
Another important significance of the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, was the implications it had for rights and freedoms. In particular, the internment of Japanese-American during World War II remains a dark chapter in the United States since it went against the democratic rights and freedoms that the country holds. For instance, the internment stands as an example of constitutional rights being suspended based on race or ethnicity. Japanese-Americans were punished without ever having been found guilty of committing a crime. They had little or no legal recourse and were denied the rights that should have been guaranteed to them by the constitution. Today, the story of Japanese-American internment is taught widely as a critical lesson about the importance of protecting minority rights, even during national crises.
