1. Japanese Internment

2. Pearl Harbor’s Impact on the Japanese
Anti-Japanese sentiments have existed in the United States for several decades prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor.
During that time, more than 119,000 people of Japanese ancestry, two-thirds of them American citizens, were living in California, Washington, and Oregon.
The attack of Pearl Harbor shocked the American public, resulting in widespread hysteria and paranoia. .. (

3. The unannounced attack at Pearl Harbor was presented to the American populace as an act of treachery and cowardice.
Anti-Japanese Sentiment and Propaganda followed:
EX: many non-governmental "Jap hunting licenses" were circulated around the country.
What was it?
A faux-official document, button or medallion that purported to authorize "open season" on "hunting" the Japanese, despite the fact that over a quarter of a million Americans at that time were of Japanese origin.
Some reminded holders that there was "no limit" on the number of "Japs" they could "hunt or trap".
These "licenses" often characterized Japanese people as sub-human.
Many of the “Jap Hunting Licenses”, for example, depicted the Japanese in animalistic fashion.

4. Anti-Japanese Sentiment Bugs Bunny and Nips the Nips
Nip - offensive term for a person of Japanese descent. *short for Nipponese (means "Japanese,“) – 1859 *from Nippon, Japanese word for "Japan”

5. Dec 8th Speech by FDR
"The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation."
The opinions that Roosevelt mentions are the anti-Japanese sentiments that were an immediate reaction to the surprise attacks

6. Opinion in US Military – Lt Gen. John DeWitt
Repeatedly told newspapers that "A Jap's a Jap" and testified to Congress:
I don't want any of them [persons of Japanese ancestry] here. They are a dangerous element. There is no way to determine their loyalty... It makes no difference whether he is an American citizen, he is still a Japanese. American citizenship does not necessarily determine loyalty... But we must worry about the Japanese all the time until he is wiped off the map.
Later administered the Japanese internment program

7. Terms: (Japanese Language)
Fear of Japanese disloyalty (SPIES) towards the United States was common among many Americans.
Terms: (Japanese Language)
Issei: those born in Japan, regarded by the U.S. government as ineligible for U.S. citizenship and could not own land
Nisei: those born to Japan parents, thus U.S. citizens.
A 1942 poll reflected the feelings of American citizens towards the Japanese. "Japanese [...] were said to be 'treacherous, sly, cruel, and warlike' though also 'hardworking and intelligent'“
Several positive aspects of Japanese Americans
BUT the negative comments were overwhelming and reflected the views of the majority of Americans at the time.
Japanese Americans were instantly considered to be dangerous as they were expected to take part in sabotage or espionage for Axis Powers.
America’s THOUGHT and FEAR –
Japan would attack again

8. Events Leading to Internment
After the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor  that very day – prominent Japanese leaders were rounded up by FBI
Ransacked houses – radios, cameras (any type of corroboration with Japan)
1200 detained withOUT charges
Japanese response – burn personal items (pictures, letters) from Japan

9. Opposition of the Relocation for American Japanese
The Japanese Americans showed that they were true patriots by joining up and reciting the “Pledge of Allegiance” and singing patriotic songs such as “The Star-Spangled Banner”.
Why go willing?
“We wanted to show Americans we aren’t dangerous people”
AND THEY LOST EVERYTHING

10. NO Does it Name a certain race? Look at the Homework
1) What was the rationale (reasoning) of the internment camps?
2) What will the Federal Government provide?
Answer - protection against espionage and sabotage (national defense) of material, premises, and utilities
Transportation
Food
Shelter and other necessary accommodations
Medical Aid and Hospitalization
Clothing
Use of land
Supplies, equipment, utilities, facilities, and services
Does it Name
a certain race? NO

11. 40% children 70% WERE AMERICAN CITIZENS
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order No in February of 1942.
Empowered the U.S. Army to designate areas from which "any or all persons may be excluded."
Had 10 days to:
Register family
Prepare to leave their homes
110,000 surrendered to Assembly Centers
40% children % WERE AMERICAN CITIZENS

12. Let’s take a look WHO and WHERE? 
Those of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast (Washington, Oregon, California) were to be relocated away from West Coast
WHO and WHERE? 
March 18, 1942 The president signs Executive Order 9102 establishing the War Relocation Authority (WRA) with Milton Eisenhower as director.
Create 10 sites
Let’s take
a look

13. Internment Camp Locations

14.
Japanese near trains during Relocation 
Internment refers to the forced imprisonment and relocation of a group of people.

15. How the Internment was Viewed…Concentration Camps
Ones who were for the internment simply called internees “residents”, but Roosevelt privately referred the camps as “concentration camps”.
Many who were against the internment called it prejudice and called them concentration camps publicly against the War Relocation Authority.

16. So, let’s take a look at life in one of these Internment Camps(

17. Excerpt from Lillian Hanansushi, “My Life”
Then [there was] that fatal day of Dec. 7, Japan declared war on the United States. It seemed impossible for me for I never dreamed of war coming to the United States. The day after the war began I did not want to go to school for I felt my Caucasian and Negro friends would dislike me, but they told me not to feel so bad, for it was not I who declared the war. So school [went] on very smoothly…I attended high school for a short time because evacuation orders were being given out by the government. Many Japanese Americans said it was unfair to them because they were American citizens who had the right of any other American citizen. But I didn’t mind because I would go anywhere my parents would go.

18. War Relocation Authority(WRA) Centers

19. Life in Internment Camps
“…families lived in substandard housing, had inadequate nutrition and health care, and had their livelihoods destroyed: many continued to suffer psychologically long after their release"
- Report of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians" (

20. Gila River Interment Camp-
"In desert camps, the evacuees met severe extremes of temperature. In winter it reached 35 degrees below zero, and summer brought temperatures as high as 115 degrees. Rattlesnakes and desert wildlife added danger to discomfort." - Report of the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians.

21. Life in Manzanar
Bus heading for camp

22. Internment Ends
The Supreme Court ruled the imprisonment of loyal citizens unconstitutional in December 1944.
The ruling led to the government bringing individuals back to the West Coast on early 1945.
The Japanese Americans were given $25 and a free ticket ride back to their homes.
Some migrated back to Japan, but most stayed to rebuild their lives.

23. Aftermath and Compensation of Internment
In 1988, President Ronald Regan signed legislation that Congress implemented called the Civil Liberties Act
Apologizing on behalf of the nation for the "grave injustice" done to persons of Japanese ancestry.
Congress declared that the internments had been "motivated largely by racial prejudice, wartime hysteria, and a failure of political leadership" and authorized $20,000 payments to Japanese Americans who had suffered injustices during World War II.

24. Want to know more…