Internment Camps or Prisons: The Struggle of a Japanese American During World War II
explanatory Essay
1146 words
In the middle of WW II, many Americans were worrying about their next meal or about the house payments; however, this wasn’t the case for Japanese Americans. Instead, they were worrying about if they were going to eat and if they were going to have a house due to internment camps. These camps were designed to protect and nurture the Japanese from the American people who were persecuting them. However, these camps did little good beyond that. Many Japanese Americans faced starvation, horrible living quality, and a large distance away from what they knew as home. These Japanese immigrants were always treated with discrimination in America; however, after Pearl Harbor they were forced to leave their homes, live in internment camps, and face prejudice for the years following. The events leading up to the internment camps for these Japanese citizens and immigrants start in the 19th century. During the eighteen hundreds many Japanese citizens moved to America in the hope of economic prosperity. They did find jobs; however, they were the left over jobs no Americans wanted like clearing out mountains for the railways with dynamite. These dangerous jobs were really the only jobs that the Japanese had to choose from due to the extreme racism they faced in America. The Americans, who were not fond of the Japanese people, feared that American jobs belonged to the American people and not immigrants who had little training. When the United States passed the Immigration Act of 1924, many Japanese immigrants seeking economic opportunity were sent back home and were not allowed to live in America. After this Act was passed, not as many Japanese citizens were allowed into the country. Even with this law, some Japanese Immigrants still... ... middle of paper ... ...and the working hours were usually long and tiring. This made their dream of gaining everything they had lost even harder when they could barely give their families enough food. As the years went on, the discrimination decreased and more jobs were open, but the treatment was still evident. These Japanese Americans were stripped of all of their rights during this time period. While most of America was getting back into shape with jobs and living conditions, these Japanese internees were denied that right. They were sent to these internment camps for protection; however all they received was injustice. Protection is supposed to be safe and without worry, and confinement is supposed to be punishment and isolation. The more in depth research goes, on Japanese Internment, both protection and confinement seem to have the same meaning in terms of internment camps.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that many americans were worried about their next meal or house payments, but japanese americans faced starvation, horrible living quality, and a large distance away from home.
- Describes the events leading up to the internment camps for these japanese citizens and immigrants in the 19th century.
- Explains that the day of december 7th, 1941, lived in infamy for many americans, including japanese immigrants who were now in trouble of losing their homes.
- Explains that humans were treated like animals in the social and physical aspect. they were threatened by death, stripped of their way of life, and deprived of access to basic daily needs.
- Explains that the japanese americans believed that they would be free to do what they wanted, but their old freedoms were relinquished. they returned to their homes expecting for them to be vacant.
- Explains that japanese americans were stripped of all of their rights during this time period. they were sent to internment camps for protection; however, all they received was injustice.
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- Essay On Japanese Internmentexplanatory essayOn December 7, 1941 the Japanese Empire had declared war on the United States by planning and carrying out a devastating surprise attack on Pearl Harbor killing 2388 people and wounding 1178. (I) This horrible act provoked the U.S. to take part in WWII and because of the threat of espionage by Japanese Americans on February 19th, 1942 President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066. This order authorized military commanders to designate areas for internment camps where people of Japanese ancestry who might pose a danger would be held. “…The Roosevelt administration was pressured to remove persons of Japanese ancestry from the West Coast by farmers seeking to eliminate Japanese competition, a public fearing sabotage, politicians hoping to gain by standing against an unpopular group, and military authorities.” (II) Congress supported the Executive Order by authorizing a prison term for those who do not obey.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the japanese empire declared war on the united states by planning and carrying out a devastating surprise attack on pearl harbor killing 2388 people and wounding 1178.
- Analyzes how the u.s. built ten internment camps for japanese americans in remote areas of seven western states, california, idaho, utah, arizona, wyoming, arkansas, and colorado.
- Explains that while the u.s. fought the nazis in europe, the japanese americans were in internment camps living in poor living conditions, only because of their japanese heritage.
- Describes the awe-inspiring conditions at gila, where 7,700 people were crowded into space designed for 5,000. in winter, it reached 35 degrees below zero, and summer brought temperatures as high as 115 degrees.
- Explains that mine okubo was studying art in europe when wwii broke out. she returned home in 1939 and was commissioned by the federal arts program to work on paintings, murals, mosaics and frescoes.
- Explains that eyewitness accounts claim that there were unjust killings by the guards at these camps.
- Explains that roosevelt announced the end of the internment of japanese americans from the west coast. because of prejudice, many could not find a job and lived in poverty.
- Explains that the u.s. dropped a powerful atom bomb on hiroshima, then three days later nagasaki killing forty thousand people; tens of thousands were also killed because of the radiation.
- Explains that president truman recognized the 442nd regimental combat team on july 15, 1946. the commission on wartime relocation and internment of civilians (cwric) said that military necessity was not the cause of mass imprisonment.
- States that congress passed the civil liberties act of 1988 and president reagan signed it into law, requiring payment and apology to survivors of the internment caused by executive order 9066.
963 wordsRead More - Importance Of Japanese Internment Campsopinionated essayThe Japanese internment camps started in February, around two months after the Pearl Harbor bombing, which was also the reason America decided to enter the war. People’s suspicions of Japanese led the government, passing an order to uproot 120,000 people from their homes, lives, families, everything they knew. WWII brought lots of change, although their families were being contained, many young Japanese joined the U.S. army in the fight against Germany and Japan. It’s important for people to learn and remember who the really is against. “Sure enough, 40 days later January 20, 1942, came a letter that said, greeting from the President of the United States you are now in the army, and that was my draft notice.”( Interview with Norman Saburo
In this essay, the author
- Opines that japanese internment camps are an important part of american history and should be an event all new american’s learn about because of its importance in world war ii, the influence racism had on the camps, and for being one of the biggest violations of civil rights.
- Explains the effects of world war ii on internment camps. the japanese bombing of pearl harbor was the turning point in wwii.
- Analyzes the influence of racism on the camps and on japanese people. the distrust and racism of the japanese who lived in the west after pearl harbor was quite strong.
- Explains that japanese internment camps were one of the biggest movements to violate civil rights in american history.
- Explains how wwii effected the development and making of the japanese internment camps. people's suspicions of japanese led the government to uproot 120,000 people from their homes, lives, families, and everything they knew.
- Explains that racism was a strong factor for the reason people of japanese descent were put into camps. propaganda and rumors, just added more fuel to the fire.
- Explains that america is a melting pot of people from all walks of life. the japanese internment camps were one of the most flagrant violations of american civil liberties.
- Opines that learning about japanese internment camps should be an event all new american's learn about because of its importance in world war ii, the influence racism had on the camps, and for being one of the biggest violations of civil rights in american history.
1056 wordsRead More - Japanese Americans in Internment Campsexplanatory essayOn December 7, 1941 Japanese planes bombed the United States Naval Base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. This surprise attack destroyed several naval ships and killed over 2,300 Americans. President Franklin Roosevelt described this tragic day as “a date which will live in infamy.” There was a huge fear of racial superiority of Asians, the suspicion of Japanese Americans as spies for Japan, and denial of equality rights for the Japanese. Congress declared war on Japan the following day. Out of the everlasting fear of racial superiority, panic of attack and suspicion of the Japanese in the United States, on February 19, 1942, just two months after the attacks, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 that called upon the evacuation of over 110,000 Japanese Americans to internment camps in the west coast. This order violated the constitutional rights by ruthlessly forcing thousands of innocent Japanese Americans to abandon everything they had to move into the poorly conditioned internment camps.
In this essay, the author
- Describes the tragic day of december 7, 1941, when japanese planes bombed the united states naval base in pearl harbor, hawaii.
- Explains that japanese americans suffered immensely due to the racial struggles and consequences of the executive order 9066.
- Explains that the united states government violated the fundamental principle of democracy, which is that all citizens are entitled to the same rights and legal protections.
- Describes how japanese families were forced to abandon their homes, farms, furnishings, cars, and other belongings or sell them at bargain prices after the attack on pearl harbor.
- Explains that internees who rebelled or caused stir in the camps were sent to tule lake. they were asked to measure loyalty and swear unqualified allegiance to the united states.
- Explains that when the internees were free, they were conflicted because they had no life to go back to. they remained in the us and rebuilt their lives, while others were unforgiving to the united states and returned to japan.
900 wordsRead More - The Japanese Internmentopinionated essayThe Japanese internment was proposed and pushed through by men working off of false information. “On 10 December a Treasury agent reported to Army authorities that an estimated 20,000 Japanese in the San Francisco metropolitan area were ready for organized action"[1]. Many did not believe this lie however and it was initially put off because of its lack of acceptance. But the lie was being fueled by politicians and others who had an anti-Japanese agenda.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the japanese internment was proposed and pushed through by men working off of false information. many did not believe this lie but it was initially put off because of its lack of acceptance.
- Explains that the internment was focused on the west coast of the states, simply because that is where most japanese americans lived.
- Explains that the wra or war relocation authority was responsible for setting up the internment camps, organizing them, and relocating detainees. they had tens of thousands of suspects ready to arrest and relocate.
- Opines that the internment camps were a good idea for those scared of the japanese or just racist. however, they did not want to pay for the upkeep of detainees and camps themselves.
- Analyzes how the public was shown images of nice camps that looked like getaways and made it look like the government was doing the japanese a favor. the treatment from the guards was not terrible, but some had strong anti-japanese stance.
- Explains that since the camps were never intended for long-term stay, many things were not considered when building them in such a rush.
- Opines that the internment camps were still prison camps. some of the sons and husbands of these people who are being imprisoned are even fighting for the u.s.
- Opines that perl harbor was a rational solution to prevent potential terroristic attacks. however, the president and the rest of the politicians could not step back and recognize the anti-asian racism that was fueling false stores and propaganda.
- Explains that the japanese were citizens just like any other. they had expressed no interest in supporting japan or shown any anti-american sentiments.
- Explains that the anti-japanese agenda had a large following by the time wwii came around, and perl harbor was just the push it needed to gain backing from politicians publicly.
852 wordsRead More - The Progressive Movement In The Early 20th Centuryanalytical essayA surprise attack that FDR stated would, “live in infamy.” The US entered the war soon after, but was again asked what measures to make the country safe again. While the country was at war with all the Axis Powers, Japan made a direct attack on US soil. To the government the immediate threat that needed to be handled was the Japanese Americans and if they held allegiance to their home country. The government in thinking of national safety, needed to make a decision to alleviate American fears, so they could focus solely on the war abroad. This solution was internment camps. The federal government move thousands of Japanese citizens, most living on the west coast from their homes to “relocation centers,” where most would stay until the end of the war. From a US government perspective they saw something they felt harmed to US as a whole and removed it. Similar to progressive women in the earlier 20th century going into bars and smashing them up, because they felt without them America would be better (American Horizons, p.687). It is the same progressive idea, just on a larger federal scale. In the Life in a Japanese Internment Camp document Ted Nakishima shares what exactly went on inside the internment camp walls. There were armed guards all around, and in felt like more than a prison instead of a camp. They were told when they could turn lights on and off, when they
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the united states did not have any guidelines on how to deal with the war from home. the espionage act was a congressional act passed on the eve of america's entry into world war i.
- Explains how the us government moved thousands of japanese citizens from their homes to "relocation centers," where they would stay until the end of the war.
- Analyzes how the usa patriot act gave law enforcement broader investigation powers in investigating potential terrorists. romero critiques what he believes to be wrong with the document.
- Analyzes how the government used surveillance in the aftermath of september 11th to prevent harm from happening if they had access to see what was going on.
- Opines that the progressive movement helped create quick and efficient policy, but in believing this philosophy there is always someone to blame in the fight for a better society.
- Analyzes how the progressive movement and fear for american safety contributed to the suppression of first amendment rights. they paved the way for better working conditions and women's suffrage.
1685 wordsRead More - Japanese Internment Camps in World War IIexplanatory essayJapanese Internment Camps in WWII For over a century, the United States has been one of the most powerful and influential states on the globe. However, every nation has made mistakes in its past. Throughout our country’s history, certain groups have had to endure horrible injustices: the enslavement of African-Americans, the removal of Native Americans, and discrimination against immigrants, women, homosexuals, and every other minority. During World War II, the government crossed the line between defending the nation and violating human rights, when it chose to relocate Japanese residents to internment camps.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that every nation has made mistakes in its past, such as enslavement of african-americans, removal of native americans, and discrimination against immigrants, women, homosexuals and every other minority.
- Explains that the attack on pearl harbor was unlike anything the united states had ever experienced before, and the events of that day must have had devastating effects on americans' sense of security.
- Explains that the japanese-americans living on the west coast were expelled from the area and shipped off to remote locations in the more barren sections of the country.
- Explains that japanese-americans were subjected to discrimination from the government even before the united states’ entry into wwii.
- Opines that discrimination against arabs, muslims, and anyone who looks like they could be muslim is disturbing about this part of our history.
644 wordsRead More - Japanese American Internment: The Economic Consequencesanalytical essayUnited States President Franklin D. Roosevelt once proclaimed that the Pearl Harbor bombings that took place on December 7th, 1941 is, “ a date which will live in infamy.” The events that unfolded that fateful morning not only resulted in a U.S declaration of war against Japan the next day (subsequently promoted Germany/Italy to declare war against U.S three days later), but also proved to be a traumatic landmark event in the history of Japanese Americans. The aftermath of the Pearl Harbor bombings prompted Franklin D. Roosevelt to authorize Executive Order 9066 on February 19th, 1942, which consequently cleared they way for Japanese American internment. In Hawaii, where Japanese Americans made up one-third of the population, only 1200 to 1800 were interned. On the mainland (specifically the West Coast) over 100,000 Japanese Americans were interned. Despite widespread outcry in Japanese American communities, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of these exclusion orders in the 1944 landmark case Korematsu v. United States. The horrors of internment continued until January 2, 1945 when the exclusion order was nullified, and in 1946 the last internment was closed. Despite being released the hardships and material loss suffered by Japanese American internees were far from over. Many internees who survived this traumatic ordeal not only suffered from psychological problems, but also lost their properties and incomes. Although the U.S. government issued a public apology and compensated surviving former internees under the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, it is still unclear if this adequately compensates former internees for the long-term economic hardships that followed as a result of internment.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the pearl harbor bombings prompted franklin d. roosevelt to authorize executive order 9066, which cleared the way for japanese american internment.
- Explains that 110,000 japanese americans had been removed from the west coast by august 1942 and placed in war relocation camps surrounded by barbed wire and armed guards. poor wages and underutilized internees led to the loss/deterioration of skill sets.
- Explains that the same processes that hurt internee's earnings potential might have also been benefited them as well. the internships gave them the opportunity to branch out into new positions that were not typically given to japanese americans.
- Analyzes how the civil liberties act was signed into law by president ronald reagan in 1988, and granted each surviving internee $20,000 dollars in compensation.
- Explains that japanese american interment during world war ii caused more than just financial/employment problems for former internees. it gave rise to psychological illness, thefts, and perpetuated racism towards japanese americans.
- Describes oracle thinkquest's "life after the nightmare" and chan, aimee. long-run labor market effects of japanese american internment.
1087 wordsRead More - The Japanese Internment Campsanalytical essayIn 1942 Roosevelt signed the Executive order 9066 which forced all Japanese-Americans to evacuate the West Coast. They were forced out no matter their loyalty or their citizenship. These Japanese-Americans were sent to Internment camps which were located in California, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, and Arkansas. There were ten camps all-together and 120,000 people filled them (2009). The immigrants were deprived of their traditional respect when their children who were American-born were indorsed authority positions within the camps. In 1945 Japanese-American citizens with undisrupted loyalty were allowed to return to the West Coast, but not until 1946 was the last camp closed.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that roosevelt signed the executive order 9066 which forced all japanese-americans to evacuate the west coast. they were sent to internment camps in california, idaho, utah, arizona, wyoming, colorado, and arkansas.
- Analyzes how the u.s. government tried blaming the evacuations on the war saying they were protecting the japanese by moving them.
- Explains that the japanese-americans were the target of hostility and restrictive action for several decades. they had to defend their presence in a country that was supposed to be accepting.
- Analyzes how governors across nine western states pushed japanese americans into internment camps. the san francisco news stated that thomas c. clark, alien control coordinator, hoped the japanese were evacuated within 60 days but he wasn't "going to push them around."
- Analyzes how the japanese who resisted going to internment camps were seen as not being loyal to the united states. they were viewed as enemy aliens but if they allowed the government to take away their rights, they were considered loyal and demonstrated true american citizenship.
- Explains that leaving the west coast was the only way americans thought the japanese could show their loyalty to the united states. they allowed themselves to be removed from their homes and forced into concentration camps.
- Explains that some japanese-americans were hesitant of going into internment camps because they were worried about losing their occupations, property, and freedom. the government tried to calm the fears of the japanese during the "greatest forced migration in american history."
- Explains that the japanese-americans were not allowed to bring clothes, bedding, and eating utensils. the small spaces tested the relationships of the families in the camps.
- Analyzes how the military tried to be sympathetic while forcing many japanese-americans from their homes for their own interests. this proved that the japanese contributed to the california economy in a way other citizens couldn't.
- Analyzes how the united states forced the relocation of the japanese-americans was seen by tokyo as "diabolic savagery" showing how disgraceful these actions would prove.
- Analyzes how the supreme court ruled that the internment process was constitutional in korematsu v. united states. the ruling left the japanese population in a confused state.
- Analyzes how the man's stand against the government was the last major obstacle of government’s internment camps. this event would turn out to be a letdown in american history.
- Explains that during the second world war, the japanese suffered great embarrassments because of their race. the war on terrorism in iraq and counter-terrorism tactics are topics of national-security issues.
1370 wordsRead More - Why Did Japanese Attack Pearl Harboropinionated essayJapanese internment was imperitive. It was to ensure that japan didn’t take over the whole world. Japan has just attacked pearl harbor and a very large amount of americans were surprised that this happend. Especially since the US was neutral for so long during the war. Many servicemen were killed about 2,000. This frightend american people and americans feared the japanese might launch a surprise attack. On them. If japanese launched an attack, then americans thought for the worst. They had forseen the take over of thier beloved homes. The internment of japanese people was very much needed to protect the usa.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that japanese internment was imperitive to ensure that japan didn't take over the whole world.
- Explains that japan attacking pearl harbor unexpectadly and without little warning will lead to the trust issues with japanese americans living among them.
- Explains that americans had little trust in japanese people, they had just killed around 2,000 sailors without any warning, so the camps must’ve been thought up right then.
- Opines that if the u.s was taken over, they saw their livelyhood being stippen away from them, and they forsaw a world being completely apprehended the japanese.
- Opines that putting japanese people into camps was imperative for the u.s.
456 wordsRead More - Japanese Prisoner Of War Camps Essayexplanatory essayImagine being joining the war and leaving your family, and then while fighting for your country you are attacked and taken to a scary new unrecognizable land. Imagine fearing for your life while the worry for your family and fellow soldiers overwhelms you. You are then put to unbearable work in terrible conditions. That is what is was like being taken to a Japanese Prisoner of War camp.The Japanese had camps during World War Two called Prisoner of War camps, or POW, which were just as brutal as concentration camps. Prisoners of war from the allies side were imprisoned here. Work for them and hope you don’t die, or fight them and hope they don’t kill you: these were the only choices at these camps.
In this essay, the author
- Describes how the japanese had camps during world war two called prisoner of war camps, which were just as brutal as concentration camps.
- Explains that the japanese pow camps were basically prisons surrounded by barbed wire or wooden fencing. they were captured military personnel and civilians who were in the east before the outbreak of the war.
- Explains that the japanese prisoners suffered beyond reason, including starvation, work, punishments, or disease. tenko was the name given to the daily roll-call and prisoners had to call out their given prisoner number.
- Narrates the story of louis zamperini, a christian, who was tortured by mutsuhiro watanabe in 1993.
- Opines that the camps were scary and barbaric, and louis zamperini is an idol for his bravery and heroism.
684 wordsRead More