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)

Filters

Facilities

Format

Genre

Usage

Use <Ctrl> or (⌘) keys to select multiple terms

Gallery view
List view

1434 items

img Amache WRA Camp (ddr-csujad-55-2484)

Topographic map of the Amache incarceration camp and surrounding area in Prowers County, Colorado. Includes camp data and statistics. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2590

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2484/

doc Letter from Yuzuru John Takeshita to Mrs. Margaret Gunderson, November 25, 1984 (ddr-csujad-55-254)

Correspondence from Yuzuru John Takeshita to Margaret Gunderson. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0256

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-254/

doc Relocation of Japanese-Americans (ddr-csujad-55-332)

Report by the War Relocation Authority on the "Relocation of Japanese-Americans." Sections include: "Background", "Relocation Program," "Evacuated People," "Relocation Centers," "Student Relocation," and "Conservation of Evacuee Property." Includes photographs. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0334

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-332/

doc Letter from Harvey M. Coverley, Project Director, to George Hideo Nakamura, April 5, 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-2418)

Correspondence from Harvey Coverley to George Hideo Nakamura regarding Nakamura's recognition in the Order of Merit at Tule Lake incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2524

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2418/

doc Identification tag (ddr-csujad-55-1285)

Baggage tag for Takaichi Tsukamoto. Family number 28169. WCCA-Form S-4. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1287

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1285/

doc Postcard from Mrs. D.L. Cooke to Sam Tanaka, August 1943 (ddr-csujad-55-2014)

Postcard from Mrs. D.L. Cooke to Sam Tanaka in the Jerome incarceration camp including a greeting and update from Cooke. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2117

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2014/

doc Amache, Colorado (ddr-csujad-55-354)

Booklet describing the history of the "Amache Relocation Center," the surrounding region, incarcerees, community government, administration, leisure activities, facilities, medical services, schools, employment, housing, food, and farming. Includes maps and illustrations. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0356

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-354/

doc My only crime is my face (ddr-csujad-55-2118)

Clipping from the magazine "Liberty" detailing one Japanese-American woman's experience of being removed from the west coast military zone during World War II and incarcerated in Heart Mountain incarceration camp before relocating to Denver, Colorado with her family. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2221

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2118/

doc Relocation problems and policies: address by Director D. S. Myer of the War Relocation Authority (ddr-csujad-55-1644)

Transcription of a speech by Dillon Myer to the Tuesday Evening Club regarding the history and activities of the War Relocation Authority, the "relocation program," incarceration camps, registration (also known as the "loyalty questionnaire"), Tule Lake and segregation, military service, propaganda, and opposition to the WRA program. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1644/

doc Memo from Saburo Nakashima, Chairman, Heart Mountain Community Council, to Relocation Program officers, April 14, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-934)

Memorandum of understanding from Saburo Nakashima of the Heart Mountain Community Council to Relocation Program Officers regarding liberalization of the relocation policy and elimination of leave procedures. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0936

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-934/

doc Our 110,000 new boarders (ddr-csujad-55-180)

Opinion article by J.P. McEvoy on the Japanese incarceration during World War II. Includes the author's perspective on implications of the incarceration for American taxpayers and armed forces, history of Japanese labor in the United States, and opinion on the incarceration. Condensed from the Baltimore Sunday Sun. A version of this article also appeared in Reader's …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-180/

doc Supplementary statement by Mr. D. S. Myer (ddr-csujad-55-1643)

Report by Dillon Myer before the Sub-Committee of the Military Affairs Committee of the U.S. Senate regarding the history and activities of the War Relocation Authority and the "relocation program." Includes a memorandum of understanding between the WRA and the War Department, description of problems with the "evacuation program," evacuation of Hawaii, administrative policies on housing, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1643/

doc Mensaje Para Subditos Japoneses de la Camara de Representantes Japonesa (ddr-csujad-55-880)

Correspondence from the Japanese government to incarcerated Japanese nationals in the United States (via the Spanish Ambassador to the United States). See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0882

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-880/

doc Poston II Camp days (ddr-csujad-55-1864)

Essay by Minato Kawaguchi reflecting on her experience of being incarcerated, attending the reunion, and pointing out the importance of passing on awareness about the injustices to future generations. From the Poston II Reunion Program. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1867

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1864/

img Vicinity map, Gila River WRA Camp (ddr-csujad-55-2480)

Topographic map of the area near the Gila River incarceration camp in Pinal County, Arizona. Includes barrack and building layouts for the Canal camp and Butte camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2586

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2480/

img Topaz WRA Relocation Camp (ddr-csujad-55-2483)

Map of the Topaz incarceration camp and surrounding area in Millard County, Utah. Includes camp data and statistics. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2589

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2483/

img Group of individuals at an incarceration camp (ddr-csujad-55-2271)

Black and white photograph depicting a group of six individuals at an incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2375

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2271/

doc Topaz: 40th year Topaz reunion (ddr-csujad-55-2710)

Pamphlet of the 40th year Topaz reunion held in San Francisco, California, September 24 and 25, 1983. Sponsored by classes of 1943 and 1944. Includes historical photographs and a re-print of the City of Topaz. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2874

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2710/

img Couple poses outside barracks (ddr-densho-368-521)

A young couple poses outside a barrack in an incarceration camp.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-368-521/

img Man sitting on porch railing (ddr-densho-368-525)

Young man poses on porch railing outside barracks of an incarceration camp.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-368-525/

img Two women pose by fence (ddr-densho-368-533)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-368-533/

img Crowd in Minidoka (ddr-densho-477-120)

Photograph of a group of people gathering outdoors in Minidoka. The caption written along the bottom of the photograph reads "4- 1945 Camp" in blue ink. The caption below the photo reads "Hunt Idaho 1945" in black ink.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-477-120/

img Crowd gather at Minidoka's entrance (ddr-densho-477-121)

Photograph of a group of people in front of a small building made of wood and stone in Minidoka. The caption below the photo reads "Hunt, Idaho camp entrance" in black ink.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-477-121/

img Monzaburo Isoshima (ddr-densho-477-118)

Photograph of Monzaburo Isoshima standing in front of a barrack in Minidoka. Caption below the photo reads "Brother Man at Hunt Idaho 1945" in black ink.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-477-118/

img Mitzi Isoshima at Minidoka (ddr-densho-477-116)

Photograph of Mitsuko (Nakahara) Isoshima standing in front of a barren field in Minidoka. Caption below the photo reads "Mitsuko at Minidoka Nov. 1942." in black ink.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-477-116/