Why weren't German Americans and Italian Americans interned during World War 2?

Answer 1

German Americans and Italian Americans were interned; and they were incarcerated in more than 50 camps across this great land.

I am living proof of such internment; I was 12 when I was interned at both Ellis Island, NY and at Crystal City Texas. More than 15,000 German Americans and Italian Americans were interned. Upwards of 40,000 German Americans were arrested by various agencies.

See http://www.foitmes.com for more info on this! The question is "false."

If you are speaking of a formal internment as the Japanese Americans were, then no they weren't. However in many parts of the US, these different groups were "interned" in place and very carefully watched. There are many local traditions of certain families and entire groups who were "quarantined" in the town or forced to move to that particular area.

One such town was Cullman, Alabama. Being predominately German American, during the war, this town was heavily watched by the government and almost interdicted by the state. Other pockets of German Americans were "reminded" that they were not welcomed in the community, necessitating hasty moves in some cases.

While there was no formal internment by the federal government, the local populace did make sure that such citizens were closely watched. Part of the reason is that these populations did not settle quite as densely as the Asian Americans, preferring to emigrate further into the interior of the country. While they did settle in enclaves, most were small and rather far apart.

Only in the large metropolises is it apparent that there are "Little Italy" or "Germantown". For most of the country, the citizens are more homogeneous with smaller neighborhoods as a cultural base.

Answer 2

Many reasons probably, they would instantly be considered rebels and would be incarcerated like the Japanese civilians that lived in the U.S. during that time. They immigrated here to avoid all that warfare and prejudice that was going on in Europe and also possibly to achieve 'The American Dream' like every other immigrant.

They must of been patriotic and righteous to know why the U.S. was in war with there origin country. Then again that was all up to them, some might of even join the U.S. Military.

Answer 3

Ah, but there were. Any Italian American or German American found to be spying for the Axis Fores were either put into prison, sent to military camps or interned in a special place. There were no large internment camps for them but there was an internment camp. See the links below to get more information about them.

Answer 4

The popular but too-simple answer is that Germans and Italians are Caucasians just like the majority of Americans were. Another too-simple answer is that the Japanese launched a "cowardly and dastardly sneak attack", not the Germans or Italians. But the truth is much deeper than that.

A large portion of Americans had German or Italian ancestry, and blood-relations were held as much more important than they are today. People still thought fondly of "the Old Country" and felt interning them was like interning a distant branch of the family.

But the Japanese communities were very small and isolated (outside of Hawaii). This isolation was encouraged by both peoples. Thus, most Americans knew nothing about the Japanese culture, philosophy, politics, history, etc. American (and European) mentality instinctively fears what it does not understand, and the "Japanese Mind" was totally alien, so the Japanese were easily seen as a great and mysterious evil that had to be contained for the common good.

Remember, the Jews and Gypsies were the ultimate evil of Europe for many centuries for exactly the same reason. It wasn't until after WW2 that it was socially acceptable to be Jewish in America. Even today in parts of Eastern Europe, just being a Gypsy is enough reason to throw you in jail.