Japanese internment

Definition

Japanese internment refers to the forced relocation and incarceration of around 120,000 Japanese Americans, most of whom were U.S. citizens, during World War II. This action was based on wartime hysteria and racial prejudice following the attack on Pearl Harbor, leading to the establishment of internment camps across the United States. The experience of Japanese internment highlights significant issues surrounding ethnicity, culture, and civil rights, as well as its lasting impact on Asian American literature and arts.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The internment occurred from 1942 to 1945, with families forcibly removed from their homes and placed in remote camps under harsh conditions.
2. The majority of those interned were Japanese Americans living on the West Coast, where government officials justified the action based on perceived threats of espionage and sabotage.
3. Internment camps were characterized by inadequate living conditions, limited freedom, and loss of property and livelihoods for the incarcerated individuals and families.
4. Despite the hardships faced in internment camps, many Japanese Americans demonstrated resilience through community-building and cultural expressions, influencing later artistic works.
5. The U.S. government formally acknowledged the injustice of Japanese internment in 1988 with the passage of the Civil Liberties Act, which provided reparations to surviving internees.

Review Questions

• How did wartime hysteria contribute to the decision-making process behind Japanese internment?
  • Wartime hysteria played a crucial role in the decision-making process for Japanese internment by fostering an atmosphere of fear and mistrust among the American public and government officials. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, many viewed Japanese Americans as potential threats to national security, despite a lack of evidence supporting claims of disloyalty. This irrational fear led to Executive Order 9066, which sanctioned mass incarceration without due process, revealing how ethnic biases can influence governmental actions during times of crisis.
• Discuss the cultural impact of Japanese internment on Asian American literature and arts following World War II.
  • Japanese internment significantly influenced Asian American literature and arts, serving as a backdrop for themes of identity, loss, resilience, and resistance. Writers and artists began to explore their experiences through creative works that addressed both the injustices faced during internment and broader issues of racism and assimilation. This body of work not only highlighted personal narratives but also contributed to a greater understanding of the historical trauma inflicted upon Japanese Americans, fostering dialogue about civil rights and social justice in America.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of Japanese internment on contemporary discussions surrounding race relations and civil liberties in America.
  • The long-term effects of Japanese internment continue to resonate in contemporary discussions about race relations and civil liberties in America. The acknowledgment of this historical injustice serves as a critical reminder of how fear can lead to violations of fundamental rights based on ethnicity. It has sparked ongoing conversations about profiling, immigration policies, and the treatment of marginalized communities. Additionally, survivors' stories have become vital for educating future generations about civil rights issues, emphasizing the importance of vigilance against discrimination in all forms.

Related terms

Executive Order 9066: A presidential directive signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt in February 1942 that authorized the internment of Japanese Americans in response to national security concerns during World War II.

Wartime hysteria: A state of heightened fear and anxiety during wartime that often leads to scapegoating and discrimination against certain groups perceived as threats to national security.

Redress Movement: The campaign for acknowledgment, apology, and reparations for the injustices faced by Japanese Americans during internment, which gained traction in the 1970s and led to the Civil Liberties Act of 1988.