| Japanese-American Internment (1941-1942) |
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Sections:- Notice of Japanese-American “Evacuation” (3 May 1942)
- San Francisco News: “New Order on Aliens Awaited: Only One State Set for Evacuees” (2 March 1942)
- Castle Films: "Japs Bomb U.S.A!" Advertisement
- San Francisco News: “Jap Ban to Force Farm Adjustments” (4 March 1942)
- San Francisco News: “Their Best Way to Show Loyalty: An Editorial” (6 March 1942)
- Photographs from Japanese Internment Camps: Tule Lake, California
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| Historical Context
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor there was a concern by our government and average citizens that Japanese immigrants (whether they were American citizens or not) could not be trusted. Thousands of Japanese Americans were forced into internment camps for no other reason than their ethnic background. In fact, in some cases, they had children, husbands or fathers serving in the U.S. armed forces.
Attached Document
The following attached document is a notice of Japanese American evacuation.
Questions to Consider
1. Why did the other Americans feel threatened by immigrants of Japanese descent? Do you think their appearance made a difference, as compared to German Americans?
2. How do you think you would feel if you were one of the Japanese Americans ordered into an internment camp? What would be your reaction?
3. Can you make any comparisons to how Arab Americans may have felt after 9/11?
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| Historical Context
Western states felt especially threatened by Japanese Americans. This was because the Japanese fleet was located in the Pacific Ocean and the majority of Japanese Americans had settled on the west coast. Japanese Americans cooperated with orders to relocate to the internment camp even though they felt it was unfair. They were as loyal and American as any citizens.
Attached Document
Included here is a San Francisco news article detailing the interment order.
Questions to Consider
1. Why do you think Japanese Americans were considered a threat and German Americans were not, at least to the point of being interned?
2. Why do you think the Japanese Americans cooperated with orders to relocate?
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| Historical Context
There was much propaganda creating fear of Japanese attacks on American soil. Japanese were pictured in a most unfavorable light in articles and photos. For an example, there was an article in Time magazine the week after Dec 7, 1941 that lists “How to Tell your Friends from the Japs”. It numerous derogatory statements about Japanese like “They laugh loudly at the wrong times in conversation”.
Question to Consider
1. How does the picture of the Japanese soldier above depict their attitude/feeling?
2. Why do you think the Japanese were called “Japs?”
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| Historical Context
Japanese Americans were an important part of the American economy, especially in agriculture. In a time of war, there is already a shortage of labor. This action exasperated this shortage of labor.
Attached Document
The attached document details the agricultural adjustments required by the internment of the Japanese citizenry.
Question to Consider
1. What skills and types of labor were lost when the Japanese were interned?
2. Why do you think White people would not do those picking jobs?
3. What do you think happened to the property and businesses owned by Japanese Americans when they were interned?
4. Do you think the government should have paid the Japanese who were interned reparations?
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| Historical Context
Japanese Americans were called on to be patriotic and follow orders to evacuate. Japanese Americans were promised entertainment and recreation in the camps. They were told that their property would be protected while they were away. In the editorial above, Japanese Americans were referred to as “people of an enemy race.”
Attached Document
Included here is an editorial from the San Francisco News advocating ways by which Japanese-Americans can best demonstrate their loyalty to the United States.
Question to Consider
1. Do you agree with the editorial that evacuation to an internment camp was the patriotic thing to do?
2. Do you think Japanese Americans needed to be evacuated for their own safety?
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| Historical Context
There was little dignity in the daily lives at the camp. People tried to live as normal a life as possible. The buildings were poorly built and were very hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Also, there was very little privacy.
Question to Consider
1. What do you think the people at the fence are feeling?
2. What smells do they smell? What are they hearing?
3. What are they hoping?
4. Why would activities like the Boy Scouts be an important part of camp activity?
5. What do you think the Scouts were thinking seeing the Japanese interned?
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