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)

Related articles from the Densho Encyclopedia :
Concentration Camps, U.S.A. (book), Gila River, Heart Mountain, Jerome, Manzanar, Minidoka, Poston (Colorado River), Psychological effects of camp, Rohwer, Sites of incarceration, Topaz, Tule Lake

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1434 items
Poston Camp hearing bares shameful facts (ddr-csujad-19-61)
doc Poston Camp hearing bares shameful facts (ddr-csujad-19-61)
An article from "Los Angeles examiner" published on June 20, 1943. It describes the training of a tactical unit, mob rule and open rebellion in the Poston incarceration camp in Arizona. It also discusses the reasons for these shameful activities to be the lack of central authority to assume responsibility and the confusion among the administration. …
'What about Hugh Kiino' (ddr-csujad-19-82)
doc 'What about Hugh Kiino' (ddr-csujad-19-82)
This article from a magazine "Harper's," vol. 187, no. 1121 (October 1943), by S. Burton Heath is about a Japanese American citizen called Hugh Kiino. It addresses how Kiino, his wife, and seven thousand other Japanese Americans were forced by the United States army to leave their homes, desert their businesses and enter incarceration camps. See …
Trouble among Japanese Americans (ddr-csujad-19-38)
doc Trouble among Japanese Americans (ddr-csujad-19-38)
This is an article from the magazine "The New Republic," vol. 108, no. 5, number 1470, by Isamu Noguchi describing the trouble and unrest among Japanese Americans in the war relocation centers following the entry of the United States in the second world war due to the attack on Pearl Harbor. See this object in the …
Jap relocation probe begins, June 28, 1943 (ddr-csujad-19-60)
doc Jap relocation probe begins, June 28, 1943 (ddr-csujad-19-60)
The document describes the investigation of conditions in the incarceration camps in the West. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: WRA_02-14_01
'Jap Crow' Experiment (ddr-csujad-19-43)
doc 'Jap Crow' Experiment (ddr-csujad-19-43)
This is an article from the magazine "The Nation" by John Larison which discusses in detail about the living conditions of the "evacuees" in the war relocation centers. It talks about how the war relocation centers had only a few facilities for recreation, the low quality of education and the economic conditions of the people in …
Memo from Co-ordinating Committee to Mr. W. [Willard E.] Schmidt, Chief of Administrative Police, March 24, 1944 (ddr-csujad-2-69)
doc Memo from Co-ordinating Committee to Mr. W. [Willard E.] Schmidt, Chief of Administrative Police, March 24, 1944 (ddr-csujad-2-69)
Memo regarding new list of fielders. Presents list of active, terminated, and new fielders and messengers of the committee, including dates of entry and termination. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sjs_sch_0069
Relocation Center standard description, Assistant Clerk-Stenographer (CAF-3) (ddr-csujad-2-77)
doc Relocation Center standard description, Assistant Clerk-Stenographer (CAF-3) (ddr-csujad-2-77)
Description for Position #X-1007, Assistant Clerk-Stenographer (CAF-3) includes general description, distinguishing features from other clerk positions, and examples of work. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sjs_sch_0077
Memo from multiple incarcerees to the Co-ordinating Committee, February 1944 (ddr-csujad-2-89)
doc Memo from multiple incarcerees to the Co-ordinating Committee, February 1944 (ddr-csujad-2-89)
States that the incarcerees wish to see "normalcy re-established" and peace and cooperation preserved between the Administration and the "Colony" in the Tule Lake incarceration camp, pledging support for the Co-ordinating Committee's efforts to attain peace at the camp. A handwritten annotation next to one of the people's names provides his or her release date. Names …
Memo from Co-ordinating Committee to the Advisory Council, February 18, 1944 (ddr-csujad-2-93)
doc Memo from Co-ordinating Committee to the Advisory Council, February 18, 1944 (ddr-csujad-2-93)
Memo regarding peace movement headed by I. Uji of Block 53, Ward 6. Text provides Uji's full name (Iwao Uji) and also mentions June Sasaki and "Mrs. Matsuda" as other leaders of the peace movement; discusses their request for direct consultation with the Advisory Council. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization …
Report on Heart Mountain to Tule Lake transfer Sam Horino, leader of movement to challenge Selective Service for incarcerated Japanese Americans (ddr-csujad-2-45)
doc Report on Heart Mountain to Tule Lake transfer Sam Horino, leader of movement to challenge Selective Service for incarcerated Japanese Americans (ddr-csujad-2-45)
Informational report to Willard Schmidt about Sam Horino, an incarceree transferred from Heart Mountain Camp to Tule Lake Camp. Horino was accused of protesting the Selective Service program for incarcerated Japanese Americans and creating bulletins he posted throughout Heart Mountain Camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sjs_sch_0045
Memo from Co-ordinating Committee to Mr. W. [Willard E.] Schmidt, Chief of Administrative Police, April 7, 1944 (ddr-csujad-2-74)
doc Memo from Co-ordinating Committee to Mr. W. [Willard E.] Schmidt, Chief of Administrative Police, April 7, 1944 (ddr-csujad-2-74)
Memo regarding resignation. Stating that the Center has returned to a state of "normalcy" including the return of approximately 2,000 ex-employees to work, it declares the dissolution of the Co-ordinating Committee, in order to make way for the election by all incarcerees ("the entire colonists' vote") of a new responsible body. The memo is signed by …
Report of the informal meeting of the stockade internees and the Co-ordinating Committee of the Tule Lake Center (ddr-csujad-2-68)
doc Report of the informal meeting of the stockade internees and the Co-ordinating Committee of the Tule Lake Center (ddr-csujad-2-68)
Report provides minutes of meeting requested by stockade incarcerees, listing the incarcerees, Co-ordinating Committee members, and others in attendance and presenting paraphrased text, identifying speakers by name. Topics addressed include incarcerees' difficulties in talking honestly, especially when they are spoken with in groups rather than individually; incarcerees' understanding of conditions in the camp outside of the …
Report of the informal meeting of the stockade internees and the Co-ordinating Committee of the Tule Lake Center (ddr-csujad-2-102)
doc Report of the informal meeting of the stockade internees and the Co-ordinating Committee of the Tule Lake Center (ddr-csujad-2-102)
Provides minutes of meeting requested by stockade incarcerees, listing the incarcerees, Co-ordinating Committee members, and others in attendance and presenting paraphrased text, identifying speakers by name. Topics addressed include incarcerees' difficulties in talking honestly; their understanding of conditions in the camp outside of the stockade; the work of the Co-ordinating Committee and of the Negotiating Committee; …
Letter from George Yoshioka to Rev. [Wendell L.] Miller, [September 11, 1942] (ddr-csujad-20-6)
doc Letter from George Yoshioka to Rev. [Wendell L.] Miller, [September 11, 1942] (ddr-csujad-20-6)
Personal letter written from Santa Anita Assembly Center. Yoshioka discusses the start of "movement to Relocation Centers," naming Parker Dam; Wyoming; Granada, Colorado; Arkansas; and Gila, Arizona, along with locations from which people are being removed, including San Diego, Los Angeles, Hollywood, Long Beach, and other Southern California locations. He also mentions that his family has …
Letter from Jane Harino to Rev. Wendell [L.] Miller, circa 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-7)
doc Letter from Jane Harino to Rev. Wendell [L.] Miller, circa 1942 (ddr-csujad-20-7)
Personal letter states that she is going to Jerome, Arkansas rather than to Granada, a change that pleases her because "there's a certain someone in Jerome - We're both so very happy"; also mentions passes for Miller [and Mrs. Miller?] as well as for the Reverend and Mrs. Clay, and asks that Miller help her by …
Masonite (ddr-csujad-23-8)
img Masonite (ddr-csujad-23-8)
Oil Painting no. 1 of 2 "Masonite" by Geichiro Kare Kuramatsu. Geichiro (Ernest) Kare Kuramatsu was born in Japan in 1885 to a Russian mother and Japanese father. The family moved to Canada, and Ernest saw combat while serving with the Canadian Army in France during World War I. He completed this oil painting in 1943 …
Little Americans with Japanese faces [Nancy Fujita and Gordon Nagai] (ddr-csujad-23-5)
img Little Americans with Japanese faces [Nancy Fujita and Gordon Nagai] (ddr-csujad-23-5)
A photograph of Nancy Kiyoko Fujita from Petaluma, California (Block 10-H, 12-C at Amache) and Gordon Nagai from Livingston, California (Block 10-H, 11-B at Amache) appeared in an issue of "Time" or known as "Time magazine" either in late 1943 or early 1944 along with an article discussing the resettlement issue. See this object in the …
Gary and Nancy Fujita at Granada incarceration camp (ddr-csujad-23-4)
img Gary and Nancy Fujita at Granada incarceration camp (ddr-csujad-23-4)
Nancy Kiyoko Fujita and Gary Yoshio Fujita are older children of Henry and Ann Fujita. This 1943 photo appears to have been taken outside of the Fujita's apartment in Block 10-H at Amache. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: lp028-08-003
Letter from Henry [Katsumi] Fujita to Mr. and Mrs. Davis, October 5, 1942 (ddr-csujad-23-14)
doc Letter from Henry [Katsumi] Fujita to Mr. and Mrs. Davis, October 5, 1942 (ddr-csujad-23-14)
Describes in detail the long train ride from Sept. 15-18 between Merced and the Granada (Amache) incarceration camp: the layout of the train cars, times to different towns, tunnels and coal smoke, eating and sleeping arrangements, military troops and equipment staged along the railway, desert scenery, late arrival at Amache, an extra night aboard the train, …
Masonite (ddr-csujad-23-6)
img Masonite (ddr-csujad-23-6)
Oil Painting no. 2 of 2 "Masonite" by Geichiro Kare Kuramatsu. Geichiro (Ernest) Kare Kuramatsu was born in Japan in 1885 to a Russian mother and Japanese father. The family moved to Canada, and Ernest saw combat while serving with the Canadian Army in France during World War I. He completed this oil painting in 1943 …
Clipping titled Exposed: America's World War II concentration camps (ddr-csujad-24-124)
doc Clipping titled Exposed: America's World War II concentration camps (ddr-csujad-24-124)
An article published in Mount Holyoke Alumnae quarterly, Fall 1997. A profile of Michi Wegyln that details her writing of the book "Years of Infamy" as well as her efforts to try to get redress for Japanese American railroad workers who were fired during World War II. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese …
National Coalition for Redress/Reparations and Friends of Michi Weglyn present day of remembrance (ddr-csujad-24-175)
doc National Coalition for Redress/Reparations and Friends of Michi Weglyn present day of remembrance (ddr-csujad-24-175)
A flyer for a tribute to Michi Weglyn and her book "Years of Infamy," on February 21, 1998. The event was put on by the National Coalition for Redress/Reparations and Friends of Michi Weglyn. The flyer includes acknowledgements and a schedule of events. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: …
Michi Weglyn was noted activist who wrote redress 'bible' (ddr-csujad-24-132)
doc Michi Weglyn was noted activist who wrote redress 'bible' (ddr-csujad-24-132)
An obituary of Michi Weglyn written by Takeshi Nakayama and published in the Japanese American newspaper "Rafu Shimpo" on April 27, 1999. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: chi_09_017
Certificate of Commendation to William Minoru Hohri (ddr-csujad-24-47)
doc Certificate of Commendation to William Minoru Hohri (ddr-csujad-24-47)
William Minoru Hohri was honored by the Manzanar Committee for his leadership of the class action lawsuit Hohri v. U.S., a civil suit filed against the U.S. government demanding compensation for Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: chi_02_006
Years of infamy: the untold story of America's concentration camps (ddr-csujad-24-125)
doc Years of infamy: the untold story of America's concentration camps (ddr-csujad-24-125)
A listing for Michi Weglyn's book "Years of Infamy" from 1998 on Amazon.com. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: chi_09_010
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