Concentration camps

The War Relocation Authority (WRA) oversaw construction of ten concentration camps in sparsely populated and isolated areas. Between June and October 1942, Japanese Americans were transferred from the "assembly centers" to the larger camps. Housing approximately 120,000 people, the camps were designed to be self-contained communities, complete with hospitals, post offices, schools, warehouses, and residential areas. The WRA attempted to establish normalcy by setting up newspapers, a degree of self-government, sports leagues, and social events. But confinement, monotony, and harsh conditions exacerbated tensions between pro- and anti-camp administration residents and between the disempowered Issei and their U.S.-born Nisei children. At several centers, conflicts erupted into violence and at the Manzanar concentration camp the unrest resulted in fatal shootings. The WRA gradually granted work and school leave to those they considered "loyal." The last camp closed in March 1946.

World War II (231)
Concentration camps (1434)

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1434 items

doc Letter from Amy Morooka to Violet Sell (ddr-densho-457-39)

Amy Morooka writes to Violet Sell about the Christmas holiday, issues with Midori, a visit from Martha, upcoming wedding plans, and more.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-457-39/

doc Letter from Amy Sugano to Violet Sell (ddr-densho-457-43)

Amy Sugano writes to Violet Sell about Violet's health, photographs of her wedding [not included], updates on family, and more.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-457-43/

doc Letter from Amy Morooka to Violet Sell (ddr-densho-457-41)

Amy Morooka writes to Violet Sell about her upcoming wedding and updates on family.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-457-41/

doc Letter from Martha Morooka to Violet Sell (ddr-densho-457-50)

Martha Morooka writes to Violet Sell about Violet's health, a visit from her brother, Amy returning to Gila River to deliver her baby, and more.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-457-50/

doc Letter from Martha Morooka to Violet Sell (ddr-densho-457-32)

Martha Morooka writes to Violet Sell about Violet's health, a visit from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Easter celebrations, school plans, and more.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-457-32/

doc Letter from Amy Sugano to Violet Sell (ddr-densho-457-49)

Amy Sugano writes to Violet Sell with updates on family, to tell her she's expecting a baby, and about life in Nebraska.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-457-49/

doc Letter from John Morooka to Violet Sell (ddr-densho-457-44)

John Morooka writes to Violet Sell about his life after leaving camp and with updates on friends and family.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-457-44/

doc James T. Komoto photograph album (ddr-densho-463-1)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-463-1/

img Mit, Jim, George, and Norman (ddr-densho-463-38)

Written beside photograph on scrapbook page: Mit, Jim, Geo, Norman; Front of Saketa; Sept. 1944.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-463-38/

img Alice Hamada outside Block 2 (ddr-densho-463-44)

Written beside photograph on scrapbook page: Miss Alice Hamada, Taken in block 2, March 1944.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-463-44/

img James Komoto and friends (ddr-densho-463-138)

Men identified in ddr-densho-463-136 as "Me [James Komoto], Ted [likely Ted Komoto], Shoji [Ichikawa], Bob, George [likely George Komoto], Kuni [Huiga], Harry, Sam, Hiram." Written beside photograph on scrapbook page: No ciggerette [sic] shortage here, "Bob what you [sic] see down there? Could it K. H.."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-463-138/