Japanese Internment in World War II
analytical Essay
1079 words
Degrees of Loyalty Loyalty was a major issue in the United States during World War II and the subsequent years following. This was especially true in California, where Japanese Americans were held in internment camps during the war because many felt that their loyalty was to Japan and not the United States. This caused many problems for the Japanese American citizens, as they were subjected to loyalty tests and forced draft programs into the armed forces. Those who opposed the American Government and their tactics were sent to work camps and their families were broken apart. This also raised issues as to how our government operates. Since the Army was now able to arrest and punish these people, it took away power from our more diplomatic areas of the government. The actions taken by our government are one that are inexcusable but they are ones that are constantly being repeated, like the Patriot Act. From 1900 until 1908, as many as 55,000 Japanese immigrants came to America’s Pacific coast to start a new life. Many of these immigrants landed in California and remained there. These people had begun to start to create a culture and lifestyle for themselves that was uniquely Japanese, but had some American values. This all changed in June of 1941 when the Japanese government bombed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii which was a major American military base. The immediate affect of this on the Japanese Americans was that there assets were frozen and many community leaders were rounded up and taken away from their families. This war hysteria continued and in February of 1942, the military was designated and assigned the task of setting up "military areas from which any or all persons may be excluded." General John L. Dewitt, leader of the Western Defense mandated in March that all enemy races, Germans and Italians and Japanese alike, were to be removed from the coasts in the US. An excerpt from Sucheng Chan’s Major Problems in California History says “enemy aliens of German, Italian and Japanese ancestry as well as all persons of Japanese Ancestry should prepare to remove themselves.” (Chan 338) This quote is from Dewitt’s mandate to “ensure the freedom and liberties of the American people. The new prisoners were brought to these camps, after all of their possessions were either taken away or sold, and they still were facing indignity and terrible treatment. The Japanese were subjected to loyalty tests when they got to the camps, and this caused many problems for their heritage.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that loyalty was a major issue in the united states during world war ii and the subsequent years following.
- Explains that 55,000 japanese immigrants came to america's pacific coast to start a new life. this changed when the japanese government bombed pearl harbor, hawaii.
- Explains that the japanese were subjected to loyalty tests when they got to the camps, and this caused many problems for their heritage.
- Analyzes how the conditions of the camps were harsh, unsanitary, and uncomfortable. tom watanabe's family was torn apart by the camp and many others felt as though they were being treated unfairly.
- Explains that some people tried to escape from these camps and go back to the real world, taking any and all measures to ensure they won't be discovered. fred korematsu refused to leave his home and was later arrested by the army after being discovered to have gotten plastic surgery to hide his japanese features.
- Analyzes how the issue of loyalty was the reason for the subjugation and discrimination against japanese american citizens after the bombing of pearl harbor in 1944.
Related
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- Japanese Internment Camps Research Paperexplanatory essayWhat were the Japanese internment camps some might ask. The camps were caused by the attack of Pearl Harbor in 1942 by Japan. President Roosevelt signed a form to send all the Japanese into internment camps.(1) All the Japanese living along the coast were moved to other states like California, Idaho, Utah, Arkansas, Colorado, Wyoming and Arizona. The camps were located away from Japan and isolated so if a spy tried to communicate, word wouldn't get out. The camps were unfair to the Japanese but the US were trying to be cautious. Many even more than 66% or 2/3 of the Japanese-Americans sent to the internment camps in April of 1942 were born in the United States and many had never been to Japan. Their only crime was that they had Japanese ancestors and they were suspected of being spies to their homeland of Japan. Japanese-American World War I veterans that served for the United States were also sent to the internment camps.(2)
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the japanese internment camps were caused by the attack of pearl harbor in 1942 by japan.
- Explains that the japanese prisoners were held in temporary shelters such as stables in racetracks because the camps were not completed when roosevelt signed the executive order.
- Explains that over 127,000 japanese-american citizens were imprisoned at internment camps in the united states. the u.s. government made reparations to those who lost property due to their imprisonment.
- Opines that after the attack from japan, the us went into panic. they shipped all the western japanese that were close to west coast and to japan away, and apologized by giving $20,000 to every living survivor.
538 wordsRead More - The Internment Of Japanese Americans During WWIIanalytical essayThe internment of Japanese Americans during WWII was a clear example of mass hysteria that permeated the United States during the dark days of WWII. After the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor many Americans believed that the Japanese were disloyal and were associated with the enemy. There were rumors that the Japanese Americans were exchanging military information and had hidden connections. The U.S became increasingly paranoid causing a question to arise, is this really because the Japanese were truly spies or is it mass hysteria?
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the internment of japanese americans during wwii was a clear example of mass hysteria that permeated the united states during the dark days of wwii.
- Explains that the public skipped to the conclusion that all japanese americans were out to get them. paranoia led people into thinking every single japanese american was guilty.
- Explains that after wwi, the hysteria was understable, and for an angry, grief stricken america, internment camps were the answer.
- Explains that the government issued executive order 9066 to satisfy the anti-japanese groups and rid of all the fear. the day of, japanese americans were given 48 hours to leave their homes and bring only a few possessions.
- Explains that president roosevelt asked curtis munson to investigate the loyalty of the japanese to america or their homeland openly.
- Explains that many japanese had a hard life before the camps. the fbi detained thirteen hundred and seventeen japanese-americans that were classified as dangerous enemy aliens.
- Explains that president roosevelt authorized the internment of tens of thousands of american citizens of japanese ancestry and resident aliens from japan.
871 wordsRead More - Japanese Internmentopinionated essayThe Japanese Internment Throughout history, Canada has relatively been a supporter of multiculturalism. In the past Canada has had very few racial conflict, although there has been one incident which has had quite a controversial effect about human rights violations and discrimination. This thorn in Canada's side is the Japanese Internment which took place during the second world war. The Japanese Internment took place between the years of 1941 and 1949.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that canada has been a supporter of multiculturalism, although there have been some controversial incidents about human rights violations and discrimination. the japanese internment occurred during the second world war.
- Explains that the japanese internment took place between 1941 and 1949. the japanese first immigrated to canada to work on the rail road in 1900.
- Narrates how japan attacked pearl harbor in 1941, taking all japanese owned boats, radios, and cameras from a 100 mile security strip along the b.c. coast. the government declared all people of japanese origin were considered aliens until the end of world war ii.
- Narrates how the government assured the provinces that the japanese would stay in agriculture and be removed after the war.
- Explains that the remaining 12000 japanese were taken to interior housing centers in the middle of b.c.
- Explains that the prime minister at the time madenzie king started to deport japanese back to japan.
- Argues that the british columbia government and the federal government were trying to separate and segregate all japanese immigrants from the rest of canada.
- Explains that japan was one of the countries opposing the allied powers, but the japanese were the only race that was interned.
- Explains why the canadian government interned the japanese canadians. the government had no proof of war crimes, or espionage that was suspected of them.
- Opines that the internment in the end was useless because the japanese didn't help canada at all.
- Explains that even before the war, racial prejudice towards the japanese was shown by the government.
- Concludes that a majority of people feel that the government acted upon the japanese canadians unfairly using segregation, discrimination and prejudice, to separate them from the rest of canada.
- Opines that the canadian government might have acted fairly upon the japanese considering the situation, but there are many other sides, perspectives, and aspects.
- Opines that the japanese internment is a big part of canada's past, and history. the mistakes of world war ii will help canada grow and learn how to act in similar situations.
1165 wordsRead More - Japanese Internmentexplanatory essayAfter the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941, the United States was filled with panic. Along the Pacific coast of the U.S., where residents feared more Japanese attacks on their cities, homes, and businesses, this feeling was especially great. During the time preceding World War II, there were approximately 112,000 persons of Japanese descent living in California, Arizona, and coastal Oregon and Washington. These immigrants traveled to American hoping to be free, acquire jobs, and for some a chance to start a new life. Some immigrants worked in mines, others helped to develop the United States Railroad, many were fishermen, farmers, and some agricultural laborers.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the united states was filled with panic after the japanese attacked pearl harbor in december 1941, where residents feared japanese attacks on their cities, homes, and businesses.
- Explains that japanese-americans were frowned upon and stereotyped because of their descent after the japanese attack on pearl harbor, which began world war ii.
- Explains that japanese were resented and disliked by whites. president roosevelt signed executive order 9066, which resulted in the violent imprisonment of 120,000 people of japanese ancestry.
- Explains that the internment camps were permanent detention camps that held captive people of many different origins, but the majority of the prisoners were japanese-americans.
- Explains that japanese-americans were killed by military guards, for not following orders or resisting officers, and many died inside the camps due to a lack of medical care and malnutrition.
- Opines that it is a good thing that there are not still places like this in the united states.
700 wordsRead More - Japanese Internment After Pearl Harboropinionated essayOn December 7,1941 Japan raided the airbases across the islands of Pearl Harbour. The “sneak attack” targeted the United States Navy. It left 2400 army personnel dead and over a thousand Americans wounded. U.S. Navy termed it as “one of the great defining moments in history”1 President Roosevelt called it as “A Day of Infamy”. 2 As this attack shook the nation and the Japanese Americans became the immediate ‘focal point’. At that moment approximately 112,000 Persons of Japanese descent resided in coastal areas of Oregon, Washington and also in California and Arizona.3
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the media and ity found in japanese american a ready target at the time of uncertainty and anxiety.
- Opines that manzanar nice place — it better than hollywood is better than san francisco news.
- Describes how japan's attack on the united states navy left 2400 army personnel dead and over a thousand americans wounded.
- Explains that the japanese race is an enemy race and the racial strains are undiluted.
- Explains that most immigration to the united states from japan occurred in the late 1800s to early 1900s.
- Describes the 'manzanar: historic resource study' in chapter three " evacuation of persons of japanese ancestry from the west coast of the united states.
- Explains the relocation of japanese americans in washington, d.c. the internment camps were manzanar and tule lake in california, poston and gila river in arizona, rohwer and jerome in arkansas, minidoka, heart mountain, colorado, and topaz located in utah.
- Analyzes how the incarceration program was a breach of the bill of rights, citing weglyn, michi n., robinson, greg, and muller.
- Opines that guantanamo piled lie upon lie through the momentum of its own existence.
2439 wordsRead More - Japanese Internment Research Paperopinionated essayThe internment of the Japanese people in America was one of the darkest and most shameful acts of the United States during the war. Across the seas in Europe we were angry at the Germans, and the Nazis. As Americans we were angry at the torture that Adolf Hitler was bestowing upon minorities. He killed millions of Jewish, lesbian, gay, and mentally and physically disabled people. He trapped them in concentration camps and burned them, beat them and starved them to death. The Holocaust was one of the darkest periods in the history of the world.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the internment of japanese people in america was one of the darkest and most shameful acts of america during the war.
- Describes the definitions of concentration camps and internment camps.
- Opines that the internment of the japanese people in the united states was directly against the constitution. they do not blame president roosevelt, but on the fear created by the axis powers.
- Opines that hitler chose his prisoners based on what they believe in, not something skin deep.
- Analyzes how fear shook this country into thinking it was alright to ignore the constitution that is the base of this great nation.
371 wordsRead More - The Necessity Of Japanese Internmentanalytical essayFYI (This is a biased written paper written if one were to defend Japanese Internment)
In this essay, the author
- Opines that this is a biased paper written if one were to defend japanese internment.
- Explains that the internment of the japanese-americans is a delicate issue that has two sides.
- Explains why the internment of the japanese-americans was justified because they attacked our mainland, triggered discrimination and distrust, and showed patriotism by going to the camps.
- Explains that the japanese-americans were interned because they were the first country to declare war on the united states and attack our mainland.
- Explains that the japanese-americans were interned for their own safety after the bombing of pearl harbor and attacks in alaska. the government did not have much money to put them in the greatest conditions.
- Analyzes how the japanese-americans were killed in pearl harbor and off the coast of alaska, a clear sign that they could not be trusted. the 442nd regiment, an all-japanese unit, was one of the toughest units.
1429 wordsRead More - Research Paper On Japanese Internment Campsexplanatory essayShortly before 8 a.m. on December 7, 1941, an army of Japanese fighter planes bombarded the American Naval Base at Pearl Harbor bordering Honolulu, Hawaii. The devastating bombing continued for two hours straight. The Japanese goal was to destroy basically everything that belonged to Americans. Which appeared to be a success, two-thousand American soldiers and sailors were deceased after the attack, and left another thousand wounded. Later, President Franklin D. Roosevelt demanded Congress to acknowledge war on Japan which was approved. A few days later, Japan made allies with Italy and Germany and declared war on the United States. Over two years the conflict was ongoing which left America with no other decision but to join World War 2.
In this essay, the author
- Narrates how the japanese bombed the american naval base at pearl harbor bordering honolulu, hawaii, killing two-thousand american soldiers and sailors. president franklin d. roosevelt demanded congress to acknowledge war on japan.
- Explains that japanese americans were forced into internment camps during the ferocious war. over one-hundred thousand of them were extorted to relocate and was incarcerated.
- Opines that the way the americans treated them and how they handled things were absolutely wrong. the japanese americans came into their internment camps leaving behind their house, money, land, transportation.
231 wordsRead More - Kabuo Assumed Guilty Because of Japanese Heritage in Snow Falling on Cedars by David Gutersonanalytical essayThe racial conflict with Japanese-Americans began when the Empire of Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. On December 7, 1941, the Empire of Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, a military naval base located in the state of Hawaii. “Behind them they left chaos, 2,403 dead, 188 destroyed planes, and a crippled Pacific Fleet that included 8 damaged or destroyed battleships” (“Attack” 1). The next day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared war on the Empire of Japan. The fear that resulted from the attack on Pearl Harbor caused many white Americans to hate the Japanese-Americans. Many Japanese were accused of being spies and were arrested without proof. “Rabid anti-Japanese American racism surfaced the first days after Pearl Harbor. The FBI and the military had been compiling lists of "potentially dangerous" Japanese Americans since 1932, but most were merely teachers, businessmen or journalists” (Thistlethwaite 1). In February of 1942, all of the Japanese on the West Coast of the United States were sent to internment camps.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that japanese internment camps were established to keep an eye on everyone of japanese decent. they were based on an order from the president to relocate people with japanese heritage.
- Cites lerner law books' "ex parte endo, 323 u.s. 283 (1944).
- Analyzes how kabuo miyamoto's trial was unfair because there was racial conflict with the japanese following world war ii.
- Analyzes how the supreme court sided with endo in korematsu vs. united states in 1944, and how nels gudmundsson tries to get kabuo to tell the truth about the murder.
1339 wordsRead More - The risk of a replay of 1942 is clear. In the public's mind, today's enemy is not so different from the enemy of sixty years ago. His religion is foreign, we tell ourselves. His devotion to it is suicidal. He is secretive. He is barbaric. His skin is of a different color. And so on. Yet the situations of Japanese Americans in 1941 and Arab Americans in 2001 are different in hopeful ways. The oppression of Japanese Americans came from more than just military fears and racial hatred. Its main engine was economic. The historical record is clear that the most effective advocates for evicting the West Coast's Japanese Americans were their white business competitors, especially in agriculture. The attack on Pearl Harbor presented white farmers with a chance to cap off a program of economic nativism that had been in place for years.
In this essay, the author
- Compares the japanese attack on pearl harbor to the most massive government-sponsored human rights violation in the united states since the end of slavery.
- Opines that the early indications are worrisome. mosques have been defaced, arab-owned businesses are shot at, and internet message boards burst with anti-arab and anti-muslim slogans. attorney general john ashcroft has clearly condemned this wave of violence and harassment.
- Opines that these are welcome words, but they cannot assure us that we are not lurching toward an arab american internment. in the wake of pearl harbor, attorney general francis biddle came to the defense of japanese america.
- Opines that today's enemy is not so different from the enemy of sixty years ago. the oppression of japanese americans came from more than just military fears and racial hatred.
- Explains that arab americans, while above the national median in income and education, do not stand as a unified economic target.
- Explains that unlike japanese americans in 1941, arab americans walk the corridors of political power.
- Opines that the law protects arab americans today in a way that it did not protect japanese americans in 1941.
- Opines that americans are no less susceptible to racist fear than they were after the tragedy at pearl harbor. the situation of arab americans is different from that of the japanese americans during world war ii.
869 wordsRead More