Japanese Internment

Definition

Japanese internment refers to the forced relocation and incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, primarily following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. Over 120,000 individuals, two-thirds of whom were American citizens, were forcibly removed from their homes and placed in internment camps across the United States. This act was driven by wartime hysteria and racial prejudice, reflecting broader themes of diaspora and transnational experiences in East Asian literature.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The internment of Japanese Americans was officially justified by the U.S. government as a military necessity, although there was no evidence of disloyalty among Japanese Americans.
2. Internment camps were often located in remote areas of the country, and conditions varied widely, with inadequate food and living conditions being common complaints.
3. The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Japanese internment during the war, but this decision has since been widely criticized and is considered a significant injustice.
4. In 1988, the U.S. government formally apologized for the internment and offered reparations to surviving internees as part of the Civil Liberties Act.
5. The experience of Japanese internment has influenced various works of literature and art, serving as a backdrop for themes of identity, belonging, and racial discrimination in East Asian narratives.

Review Questions

• How did wartime hysteria contribute to the decision to intern Japanese Americans during World War II?
  • Wartime hysteria played a crucial role in the decision to intern Japanese Americans as fear and paranoia regarding national security intensified after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The U.S. government framed Japanese Americans as potential threats, leading to widespread discrimination fueled by racism and xenophobia. This collective fear overshadowed individual rights, resulting in mass incarceration without due process.
• Discuss the long-term impact of Japanese internment on American society and its representation in literature.
  • The long-term impact of Japanese internment on American society includes ongoing discussions about civil liberties, racial prejudice, and government accountability. The experiences of those interned have been represented in various forms of literature, highlighting themes of identity loss, resilience, and the struggle for justice. These narratives serve to educate future generations about the dangers of racism and remind society of the importance of protecting individual rights.
• Evaluate how Japanese internment can be understood within the broader context of diaspora and transnational East Asian literature.
  • Japanese internment can be evaluated within the context of diaspora and transnational East Asian literature by examining how it reflects issues of displacement, identity crisis, and cultural memory. The experiences of interned Japanese Americans resonate with broader themes in diasporic literature, which often explores the complexities of belonging and alienation. Through personal narratives and artistic expressions stemming from this history, authors engage with questions of citizenship, loyalty, and the impact of war on communities, creating a rich dialogue about race and identity across borders.

Related terms

Executive Order 9066: The executive order signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in February 1942 that authorized the forced relocation of Japanese Americans to internment camps.

Nisei: Second-generation Japanese Americans born in the United States, many of whom were among those interned during World War II.

Redress Movement: A campaign that emerged in the 1970s aimed at seeking justice and reparations for Japanese Americans who were affected by internment during World War II.