After the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, a widespread panic swept across America, but moreso on the West Coast where the majority of the Japanese-American population resided. The military perceived a threat of espionage and sabotage by the many Japanese and Japanese-Americans living in the US. Ignoring civil rights and the Constitution, about 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry - which included the elderly, children, and anyone with at least 1/8th drop of Japanese blood - were forced out of their homes and relocated to assembly centers, then divided out to 10 concentration camps which later were referred to as internment. They were political prisoners fueled by racism, and were isolated in desert camps for the next three years, roughly 1942 to 1945.
Conditions were poor, living in tar-paper barracks mixed with the harsh elements of the deserts. Food was minimal even though it was served 3 times a day. Showers, latrines, and laundry facilities were shared by everyone, leaving little room for privacy. Family dynamics fell apart. There were violent riots throughout the camps that often were played down by the press. And although these camps were nothing like the Nazi death camps, they were still very demoralizing to the internees. There were outbreaks of diseases and illnesses, and black marketing for scarce commodities. There were reports of several shootings, some even fatal, and people disappearing into the desert and never seen again.
When a loyalty questionnaire was put together by the government, internees were divided as to how to answer the questions. As an attempt to draft eligible men into the war, the two questions left many people without citizenship from either country, - the US or Japan. Those who were considered loyal went on to support the war, establishing the segregated 442nd Combat Regiment (one of the most highly decorated units in US history). Those who were considered disloyal, the "no-no" boys, were considered instigators or flight risks, and were sent further into the prison-like maximum security camp at Tule Lake.
After the war, some men were still held in prison until 1946, those who were still considered "dangerous" based on their social and political status within the Japanese-American communities. Despite all the mass round-ups and interrogations, no one was actually found guilty of espionage.
(Japanese-Canadians faced similar treatment, with those of Japanese ancestry perceived as "enemy aliens" and eventually banished from British Columbia entirely.)
American citizens of Japanese descent.
Japanese-Americans .
Of the approximately 110,000 Japanese Americans who were relocated to internment camps during World War 2, 62% of them were American citizens. Half of those interned were children.
Japanese Americans were interned during World War 2 because some Americans feared they would be disloyal.Japan was urging Japanese Americans to act as spies. However, there was no evidence that any Japanese Americans had engaged in espionage or sabotage. During the entire war only ten people were convicted of spying for Japan and these were all Caucasian.Another factor was that white farmers were concerned about the competition from Japanese American farmers and saw internment as a way to get rid of their competitors.The US Government made amends through the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, when $20,000 per internee was paid out to individuals who had been interned or relocated, including those who chose to return to Japan. Some Japanese and Japanese Americans who were relocated during World War II received compensation for property losses, according to a 1948 law.
Japanese-Canadian .
A little over 100,000 Japanese were held in internment camps.
Japanese-Americans .
Of the approximately 110,000 Japanese Americans who were relocated to internment camps during World War 2, 62% of them were American citizens. Half of those interned were children.
During World War II, Japanese Americans were treated extremely unfairly. Specifically, President Roosevelt signed an executive order which called for all Japanese Americans in the US to be rounded up and moved into camps.
They were interned.
Most Japanese were interned for the duration of the war.
The U.S government believe they were spies sent by the Japanese to disrupt the war effort
Japanese Americans living on the west coast of the US were interned for the duration of the war. There was mass hysteria about their supposed lack of loyalty. Strangely enough Japanese Americans in the Hawaiian Islands were not interred.
Japanese Americans were interned during World War 2 because some Americans feared they would be disloyal.Japan was urging Japanese Americans to act as spies. However, there was no evidence that any Japanese Americans had engaged in espionage or sabotage. During the entire war only ten people were convicted of spying for Japan and these were all Caucasian.Another factor was that white farmers were concerned about the competition from Japanese American farmers and saw internment as a way to get rid of their competitors.The US Government made amends through the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, when $20,000 per internee was paid out to individuals who had been interned or relocated, including those who chose to return to Japan. Some Japanese and Japanese Americans who were relocated during World War II received compensation for property losses, according to a 1948 law.
Japanese-Canadian .
The Japanese
During World War II many Japanese Americans were placed into camps within the United States. During their stay within these camps the government at the time - decided to draft the individuals within the camp. As much as 9/10 Japanese Americans refused the draft. The Anti War Sentiment was very strong within the student populations, and with the interned Japanese Americans.
A little over 100,000 Japanese were held in internment camps.