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 Newell star, vo. 1, no. 30 (September 21, 1944) (ddr-csujad-55-1971)

Newsletter published at Tule Lake incarceration camp. Covers news, events, community activities, job openings, sports, and schedule of church services. Includes English and Japanese. From the Masako Adachi scrapbook, page 18. See also sac_jaac_1953. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1974

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1971/

doc Resolution (ddr-csujad-55-494)

Resolution calling for a meeting of "evacuee leaders" from nine incarceration camps to discuss problems related to incarceration. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0496

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-494/

Letter from Kent Syverud, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan Law School, to Professor Yuzuru John Takeshita, September 23, 1987 (ddr-csujad-55-258)

doc Letter from Kent Syverud, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan Law School, to Professor Yuzuru John Takeshita, September 23, 1987 (ddr-csujad-55-258)

Correspondence from Kent Syverud to Professor Yuzuru John Takeshita regarding the Japanese American incarceration during World War II and redress. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0260

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-258/

img Japanese American individuals at an incarceration camp (ddr-csujad-55-2272)

Black and white photograph depicting two Japanese American individuals at an incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2376

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2272/

doc Election results (ddr-csujad-55-266)

Election results for block chairmen at Heart Mountain incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0268

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-266/

img Poston 2 WRA Camp (ddr-csujad-55-2492)

Map of Poston 2 incarceration camp and the surrounding area in Yuma (LaPaz) County, Arizona. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2598

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2492/

doc Contraband articles: Western Defense Command (ddr-csujad-55-864)

List and description of items classified by the Western Defense Command as contraband. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0866

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-864/

doc Letter from George H. Nakamura (ddr-csujad-55-2183)

Correspondence from George Hideo Nakamura regarding Nakamura's pension credits and requesting consideration for the time he was incarcerated in the Tule Lake incarceration camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2285

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2183/

doc Memo from Relocation Planning Commission to Community Council, February 28, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-603)

Memorandum of understanding from Robert Kodama, Executive Secretary of the Relocation Planning Commission, to the Heart Mountain Community Council regarding the background and purpose of the Relocation Planning Commission. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0605

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-603/

doc Relocation program: a guidebook for the residents of relocation centers (ddr-csujad-55-345)

Pamphlet describing the policies and procedures of the War Relocation Authority regarding the "relocation program." Includes policies on leave, work placement, travel and subsistence, food, lodging, health services, clothing allowances, community government, education,internal security, consumer enterprises, center-produced newspapers, legal aid, public assistance grants, recreation, religion, burial and cremation, property assistance, contraband, voting rights, income tax liability, …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-345/

Statement from Edward J. Ennis, Director, Department of Justice, Alien Enemy Control Unit, to internees and members of their families, December 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-376)

doc Statement from Edward J. Ennis, Director, Department of Justice, Alien Enemy Control Unit, to internees and members of their families, December 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-376)

Correspondence from Edward J. Ennis regarding keeping families together during incarceration. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0378

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-376/

doc Letter from Harry and Nellie to Masako Adachi (ddr-csujad-55-1953)

Thank you note from Harry and Nellie to Masako Adachi. From the Masako Adachi scrapbook. See also sac_jaac_1953. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1956

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1953/

doc Second quarterly report, July 1 to September 30, 1942 (ddr-csujad-55-1653)

Report covering progress of the "relocation" program, movement to "relocation centers", community construction, "evacuee" induction, employment inside and outside the centers, leave regulations, student "relocation", "evacuee" property, self-government, consumer enterprises, education, health and sanitation, welfare, mess operations, police and fire, agriculture and manufacturing, religious activities, "evacuee" newspapers, postal facilities, individual exclusion, repatriation, organization and personnel, chronology …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1653/

doc Schedule for Sgt. Ben Kuroki, April 25-30, 1944 (ddr-csujad-55-965)

Schedule for Sargent Ben Kuroki's visit to Heart Mountain incarceration camp from April 25 through April 30. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0967

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-965/

img Maps of incarceration camps in the western United States (ddr-csujad-55-98)

Series of maps including incarceration camps in the western United States, temporary assembly centers in California, Manzanar camp in California, Gila River camp in Arizona, Topaz camp in Utah, Heart Mountain camp in Wyoming, Poston camp in Arizona, Amache camp in Colorado, Tule Lake camp in California, Rohwer camp in Arkansas, Minidoka camp in Idaho, and …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-98/

img Vicinity map, Tule Lake WRA Center (ddr-csujad-55-2473)

Map of the Modoc County, California area, indicating the site of Tule Lake incarceration camp. Includes topography, main roads, and national forests. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2579

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2473/

doc Amache (ddr-csujad-55-243)

Booklet describing the history of the "Amache Relocation Center," the surrounding region, and incarcerees including 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_0245

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-243/

doc Poston II: 50 year reunion, October 5, 6, 7, 1992 (ddr-csujad-55-2690)

Pamphlet of Poston II reunion. Provides memories and photographs during incarceration at Poston camp. Dedicated the Poston memorial monument to reaffirm their conviction and to ensure that the constitutional right of all Americans is very sacred and the tragic events of 1942-1945 will never again be repeated. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2690/

doc Registrants, Poston II reunion, August 1987 (ddr-csujad-55-1873)

List of registrants for the Poston II reunion in Sacramento, California. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_1876

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-1873/

doc Letter from W.W. Lessing, Relocation Officer, War Relocation Authority, to Mrs. George H. Nakamura, November 25, 1945 (ddr-csujad-55-2450)

Correspondence from W.W. Lessing to Dorothy Nakamura regarding grants for former incarcerees returning to their former homes after World War II. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2556

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2450/

img Lil Dan'l: one year in a relocation center (ddr-csujad-55-341)

Comic strip depicting the life of a fictional character, Lil Daniel, at Rohwer incarceration camp. Covers topics related to everyday life at an incarceration camp including arrival, clothing allowances, facilities, sports, holidays, seasons, gardening, and leisure activities. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0343

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-341/

doc Poston I 1942-1992 50 year camp reunion (ddr-csujad-55-2704)

Colorado River Relocation Center reunion held at Torrance Mariott Hotel, Torrance, California. The pamphlet includes memories, recollections, remembrances, and reminiscence. Includes historical photographs at Poston camp. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2868

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2704/

doc 47th anniversary Poston II Relocation Camp (ddr-csujad-55-2722)

Pamphlet of the Poston II reunion held at Doubletree Hotel, Monterey, California. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_2886

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-2722/

doc Voice that must be heard (ddr-csujad-55-362)

Collection of extracts from statements by high ranking government officials regarding Japanese Americans during World War II. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0364

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-362/

img American nightmare postcard (ddr-csujad-55-161)

Postcard of the lithograph, American Nightmare, by Roger Leyonmark. Image originally published by Cleveland Plain Dealer and presented to the Japanese American Citizens League in 1983. Verso includes title, artist, publisher, and copyright information. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: sac_jaac_0163

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-55-161/