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

img Eddie and Jeanette Otsuka photograph album (ddr-densho-359-758)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-758/

img Family portrait (ddr-densho-359-1086)

A family portrait taken at Manzanar Concentration Camp in California. The photograph is signed "To Mr. + Mrs Otsuka Iwasa Family 5/22/43". Kyoichi Iwasa with Ralph Iwasa, Yonchan Iwasa with Lynn Iwasa

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1086/

img Boy playing (ddr-densho-359-1093)

Wayne Nakata plays in front of a barrack at Manzanar Concentration Camp in California.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1093/

img Three children (ddr-densho-359-1089)

Brothers pose for a photograph at Manzanar Concentration Camp in California. Left to right: Don, Kenji, and Wayne Nakata

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1089/

img Okano family 1940s photo album (ddr-densho-359-1298)

Phillip and Alice Okano's first family photograph album. The album begins with their wedding and their honeymoon and moves through the war years and their time in Idaho and into the post-war years.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1298/

img Man and boy (ddr-densho-359-1090)

Jitsuzo Nakata and his grandson, Wayne Nakata, pose for a photograph next to a sprinkler at Manzanar Concentration Camp in California.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1090/

img Group photograph (ddr-densho-359-1088)

A group photograph of the Nakata family at Manzanar Concentration Camp in California. Top row, left to right: Masaaki and Pauline Nakata, Sachan Nakata, Yonchan and Kyoichi Iwasa, Ken Nakata. Front row, left to right: Shima Nakata, Wayne Nakata, Bob Kenji Nakata, Don Nakata, Jitsuzo Nakata

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1088/

img Family portrait (ddr-densho-359-1108)

The caption in the album is "Crystal City Texas 1943".Back row, left to right: Shoji Kanogawa, Yae Kanogawa, Reo Kanogawa; front row: Shizu and Sho Kanogawa

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1108/

img Family portrait (ddr-densho-359-1092)

Grandparents and their grandsons pose at Manzanar Concentration Camp in California.Left to right: Shima Nakata, Don Nakata, Jitsuzo Nakata, with Wayne Nakata in front, Kenji Nakata

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-359-1092/

img Garden with gazebo (ddr-densho-475-279)

Black and white photograph of a small Japanese garden at Poston concentration camp that features a bridge, pond, and gazebo.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-279/

img Woman (ddr-densho-475-191)

Black and white photograph of an unidentified woman smiling with an American flag on the wall behind her.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-191/

img Garden gazebo (ddr-densho-475-280)

Black and white photograph of the gazebo in the small Japanese garden at Poston concentration camp.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-280/

img Soldier in garden (ddr-densho-475-192)

Black and white photograph of an unidentified man in a US military uniform in a garden with an American flag in the background. His right arm has been partly amputated so the right sleeve is pinned up.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-192/

img Group camp photo (ddr-densho-475-765)

Black and white photograph of a large group at Poston.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-765/

img Poston canal with lifeguard tower (ddr-densho-475-31)

Black and white photograph of Poston canal with dock/staging area and lifeguard tower. (related object: ddr-densho-475-235)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-31/

img Group of 14 (ddr-densho-475-185)

Black and white photograph of fourteen unidentified people posed in front of a barrack.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-185/

img Poston Japanese garden with water feature and gazebo (ddr-densho-475-28)

Black and white photograph of a small Japanese garden at Poston concentration camp that features a bridge, pond, and gazebo.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-28/

img Japanese garden and landscape (ddr-densho-475-301)

Black and white photograph of Japanese garden with gazebo at Poston concentration camp, buildings, and skyline.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-301/

img Large group of young adults (ddr-densho-475-195)

Black and white photograph of an unidentified large group posing for a photo.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-195/

img Colorado River Relocation Center road sign (ddr-densho-475-341)

Black and white photograph of a sign on a road that reads: "Colorado River Relocation Center 17 Poston"

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-341/

img Embroidery class (ddr-densho-475-47)

Black and white photograph of a classroom of women participating in an embroidery class at Poston internment camp. All the women are working on projects and five cloths of varying sizes with embroidered flowers hang on the wall in the back.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-47/

img Poston canal and dock (ddr-densho-475-26)

Black and white photograph of a Poston canal with a dock (related object: ddr-densho-475-230)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-26/

img Garden with gazebo (ddr-densho-475-277)

Black and white photograph of a small Japanese garden at Poston concentration camp that features a bridge, pond, and gazebo

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-475-277/

doc Letter from Bill Taketa to Mr. James Waegell, October 17, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-2339)

Correspondence from Bill Taketa to Mr. James Waegell regarding the receipt of candies, outside football competition, and the weather. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2445

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2339/

doc Tabulation of news clippings, March 15 to April 30, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-343)

List of news articles related to the Japanese American incarceration published between March 15 and April 30, 1945. List includes description of the article, number of clippings, and newspapers. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0345

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-343/