“In the United States and Britain the Japanese were more hated than the Germans before as well as after Pearl Harbor. On this, there was no dispute among contemporary observers. They were perceived as a race apart, even a species apart -- and an overpoweringly monolithic one at that. There was no Japanese counterpart to the ‘good German’ in the popular consciousness of the Western Allies.” -John Dower, War Without Mercy

“The only language they seem to understand is the one we have been using to bombard them. When you have to deal with a beast you have to treat him like a beast. It is most regrettable but nevertheless true” – President Harry S. Truman

Who? 120,000 Nikkei (anyone of Japanese descent in America) Issei – Japanese immigrants in the U.S. Nisei – Their children; first generation born in America (who were American citizens) Many Japanese Americans were farmers, fishermen, and small business owners

When? February 19, 1942 – a few months after Pearl Harbor President Roosevelt signed an executive order giving the military the authority to remove and detain any person living on the West Coast

Where? People were relocated from the West Coast of the U.S. (Washington, Oregon, California) Sent to isolated relocation centers located throughout the western U.S.

Why? Fear – After Pearl Harbor, Japanese Americans were seen as a security risk – possible spies and sabotage Racism – There was a long history of anti-Japanese sentiment in the U.S. *Note: there was not a single documented case of espionage by the Nikkei

What? Houses/businesses looted; property seized for failing to pay taxes Government closed all camps by 1946; gave each family $100 and food coupons