Japanese Internment

1. Japanese Internment http://memory.loc.gov/learn/lessons/99/fear/gallery.html

2. Pearl Harbor’s Impact on the Japanese • Anti-Japanese sentiments have existed in the United States for several decades prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. • During that time, more than 119,000 people of Japanese ancestry, two-thirds of them American citizens, were living in California, Washington, and Oregon. The attack of Pearl Harbor shocked the American public, resulting in widespread hysteria and paranoia. .. (www.usatoday.com/.../contenttemplate14.htm)

3. The unannounced attack at Pearl Harbor was presented to the American populace as an act of treachery and cowardice. Anti-Japanese Sentiment and Propaganda followed: EX: many non-governmental "Jap hunting licenses" were circulated around the country. What was it? A faux-official document, button or medallion that purported to authorize "open season" on "hunting" the Japanese, despite the fact that over a quarter of a million Americans at that time were of Japanese origin. Some reminded holders that there was "no limit" on the number of "Japs" they could "hunt or trap". These "licenses" often characterized Japanese people as sub-human. Many of the “Jap Hunting Licenses”, for example, depicted the Japanese in animalistic fashion.

4. Anti-Japanese SentimentBugs Bunny and Nips the Nips Nip - offensive term for a person of Japanese descent. *short for Nipponese(means "Japanese,“) – 1859 *from Nippon, Japanese word for "Japan”

5. Dec 8th Speech by FDR "The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinionsand well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation." • The opinions that Roosevelt mentions are the anti-Japanese sentiments that were an immediate reaction to the surprise attacks

6. Opinion in US Military – Lt Gen. John DeWitt • Repeatedly told newspapers that "A Jap's a Jap" and testified to Congress: I don't want any of them [persons of Japanese ancestry] here. They are a dangerous element. There is no way to determine their loyalty... It makes no difference whether he is an American citizen, he is still a Japanese. American citizenship does not necessarily determine loyalty... But we must worry about the Japanese all the time until he is wiped off the map. Later administered the Japanese internment program

7. A 1942 poll reflected the feelings of American citizens towards the Japanese. "Japanese [...] were said to be 'treacherous, sly, cruel, and warlike' though also 'hardworking and intelligent'“ • Several positive aspects of Japanese Americans • BUT the negative comments were overwhelming and reflected the views of the majority of Americans at the time. • Japanese Americans were instantly considered to be dangerous as they were expected to take part in sabotage or espionage for Axis Powers. • Fear of Japanese disloyalty (SPIES) towards the United States was common among many Americans. Terms: (Japanese Language) • Issei: those born in Japan, regarded by the U.S. government as ineligible for U.S. citizenship and could not own land • Nisei:those born to Japan parents, thus U.S. citizens. • America’s THOUGHT and FEAR – • Japan would attack again

8. Events Leading to Internment • After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor that very day – prominent Japanese leaders were rounded up by FBI • Ransacked houses – radios, cameras (any type of corroboration with Japan) • 1200 detained withOUT charges • Japanese response – burn personal items (pictures, letters) from Japan

9. Opposition of the Relocation for American Japanese • The Japanese Americans showed that they were true patriots by joining up and reciting the “Pledge of Allegiance” and singing patriotic songs such as “The Star-Spangled Banner”. • Why go willing? • “We wanted to show Americans we aren’t dangerous people” AND THEY LOST EVERYTHING

10. Answer - protection against espionage and sabotage (national defense) of material, premises, and utilities • Look at the Homework • 1) What was the rationale (reasoning) of the internment camps? • 2) What will the Federal Government provide? • Transportation • Food • Shelter and other necessary accommodations • Medical Aid and Hospitalization • Clothing • Use of land • Supplies, equipment, utilities, facilities, and services Does it Name a certain race? NO

11. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order No. 9066 in February of 1942. • Empowered the U.S. Army to designate areas from which "any or all persons may be excluded." • Had 10 days to: • Register family • Prepare to leave their homes 110,000 surrendered to Assembly Centers 40% children 70% WERE AMERICAN CITIZENS

12. Those of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast (Washington, Oregon, California) were to be relocated away from West Coast • WHO and WHERE?  • March 18, 1942The president signs Executive Order 9102 establishing the War Relocation Authority (WRA) with Milton Eisenhower as director. • Create 10 sites Let’s take a look

13. Internment Camp Locations

14. http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/images/photodb/23-0306a.gif Japanese near trains during Relocation  Internment refers to the forced imprisonment and relocation of a group of people.

15. How the Internment was Viewed…Concentration Camps • Ones who were for the internment simply called internees “residents”, but Roosevelt privately referred the camps as “concentration camps”. • Many who were against the internment called it prejudice and called them concentration camps publicly against the War Relocation Authority.

16. So, let’s take a look at life in one of these Internment Camps (www.trumanlibrary.org/.../20-2311a.htm)

17. Excerpt from Lillian Hanansushi, “My Life” • Then [there was] that fatal day of Dec. 7, 1941. Japan declared war on the United States. It seemedimpossible for me for I never dreamed of war coming to the United States. The day after the warbegan I did not want to go to school for I felt my Caucasian and Negro friends would dislike me, butthey told me not to feel so bad, for it was not I who declared the war. So school [went] on verysmoothly…I attended high school for a short time because evacuation orders were being given out bythe government. Many Japanese Americans said it was unfair to them because they were Americancitizens who had the right of any other American citizen. But I didn’t mind because I would goanywhere my parents would go.

18. War Relocation Authority(WRA) Centers

19. Life in Internment Camps • “…families lived in substandard housing, had inadequate nutrition and health care, and had their livelihoods destroyed: many continued to suffer psychologically long after their release" - Report of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians" (www.trumanlibrary.org/.../20-2311a.htm)

20. Gila River Interment Camp- • "In desert camps, the evacuees met severe extremes of temperature. In winter it reached 35 degrees below zero, and summer brought temperatures as high as 115 degrees. Rattlesnakes and desert wildlife added danger to discomfort."- Report of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians.

21. Life in Manzanar Bus heading for camp

22. Internment Ends • The Supreme Court ruled the imprisonment of loyal citizens unconstitutional in December 1944. • The ruling led to the government bringing individuals back to the West Coast on early 1945. • The Japanese Americans were given $25 and a free ticket ride back to their homes. • Some migrated back to Japan, but most stayed to rebuild their lives.

23. Aftermath and Compensation of Internment • In 1988, President Ronald Regan signed legislation that Congress implemented called the Civil Liberties Act • Apologizing on behalf of the nation for the "grave injustice" done to persons of Japanese ancestry. • Congress declared that the internments had been "motivated largely by racial prejudice, wartime hysteria, and a failure of political leadership" and authorized $20,000 payments to Japanese Americans who had suffered injustices during World War II.

24. Want to know more…