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 An Oral History with Mitsuo Nitta (ddr-csujad-29-4)

Oral history with Nisei farmer/businessman from pioneering Orange County, California family gives prewar biographical information with emphasis on Japanese Americans in Orange County. Discusses World War II forced removal, experiences in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and the role of the Japanese American Citizens League before and after World War II. This oral history was conducted …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-29-4/

av An Oral History with Craig Kei Ihara (ddr-csujad-29-1)

Oral history with Craig Kei Ihara, Sansei and California State University, Fullerton philosophy professor, born at the Rohwer incarceration camp, Arkansas discusses family history, focusing on religion, education, aspirations, and cultural heritage; and recent overnight stay at old Rohwer campsite. This oral history was conducted for the Japanese American Oral History Project for the Center for …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-29-1/

doc Evacuee Identification Card (ddr-csujad-29-23)

Manzanar incarceree identification card. Block 20, Building 11, Apt. 4. Belonging to Ruth Hochi. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: 4137_M02

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-29-23/

img Photo of Two women and girl (ddr-densho-122-176)

Tama Tokuda on right. Caption on back: "Two Women in an American Concentration Camp, Puyallup, WA".

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-176/

img Group of young men outside barracks (ddr-densho-122-609)

Mits Koshiyama in center with letter jacket

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-609/

img Manzanar Police Department (ddr-densho-122-720)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-720/

img Soldier helping older Japanese man with suitcase (ddr-densho-122-735)

Suitcase labeled "No. 15035 T.I. Masahara"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-735/

doc "Concentration Camps American-Style" (ddr-densho-122-550)

Brochure by Edison Uno

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-550/

img Gloria Kubota and small child outside barracks (ddr-densho-122-643)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-643/

doc Memo to Lt. Green from C.E. Rachford (ddr-densho-122-448)

Request for guards to be placed around blocks in Heart Mountain for Japanese residents

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-448/

doc Letter to Milton S. Eisenhower, Director WRA from Mike Masaoka (ddr-densho-122-270)

Copy of letter with recommendations for establishing and administering relocation camps.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-270/

img Ambulance entering Tule Lake camp, Gate 3. Even the ambulance needed to show identification to get through the gate (ddr-densho-122-721)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-721/

img Two young men wearing Zephyrs jackets (ddr-densho-122-608)

Mits Koshiyama on left

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-608/

img Group of young Japanese American boys sitting on fence (ddr-densho-122-736)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-736/

doc Housing assignment for Frank Emi at Heart Mountain (ddr-densho-122-450)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-450/

doc "Proclamation and Notice of Dissatisfaction and Demand" (ddr-densho-122-823)

By Kiyoshi Okamoto, addressed to The citizens and voters of the U.S.A.; the Hon. Franklin D. Roosevelt; The Hon. Henry L. Stimson; Lieutenant General Delos C. Emmon; The War Relocation Authority; the Department of Justice, the Congress of the United States and any and all the agents or agencies and individuals and groups of individuals that …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-823/

img Page of copy of photos of young men in camp (ddr-densho-122-607)

Including Mits Koshiyama as a young man

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-607/

doc Letter from Richard Drinnon to Frank Abe (ddr-densho-122-438)

From author of "Keeper of Concentration Camps"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-438/

doc Transcription of conversation between General Clark and General Gullion (ddr-densho-122-272)

Copy of transcription, re: relocation of "enemy aliens" and establishment of exclusion zone in Washington and Oregon.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-272/

doc Drinnon's "Keeper of Concentration Camps" (ddr-densho-122-437)

Notes on Drinnon's book

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-122-437/

doc Soul Corner cartoon about Tsuyako "Sox" Kitashima (ddr-janm-4-3)

Xerox copy of a Soul Corner cartoon about Tsuyako "Sox" Kitashima sharing her experience in camp during World War Two.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-4-3/

doc Recipient list (October 9, 1990) (ddr-janm-4-19)

Recipient list given the names, age, residence and internment camp of nine individuals. It's dated October 9, 1990.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-4-19/

doc Poster for a Day of Remembrance event (February 16, 1991) (ddr-janm-4-25)

Two identical posters informing the public about a Day of Remembrance- Remembrance In Action: Continuing Our Fight For Civil Rights event (February 16, 1991).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-janm-4-25/

doc [Leaflets related to Rohwer Arkansas Relocation Center] (ddr-csujad-1-48)

Contains leaflets for "Rohwer and Jerome Relocation Centers" symposium sponsored by the Center for Arkansas Studies at University of Arkansas, Little Rock, in 1993 and Rohwer/Jerome monument dedication trip tour in 1992; and a letter from Nick Katsuki, Chairman, Rohwer Arkansas Relocation Center Research and Preservation Committee, in 1991. See this object in the California State …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-1-48/

doc Lil Dan'l, one year in a relocation center (ddr-csujad-1-57)

A booklet of a pictorial review of incarcerees' first year experience in the Rohwer incarceration camp, Arkansas. Lil Dan'l is a fictitious character in the "Poston outpost," a magazine published in the camp, symbolizing the incarcerees in the camp. This booklet was published to remember their experience in the Rohwer camp. See this object in the …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-1-57/