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 (277)
Concentration camps (1771)

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1771 items

av Norman Mineta and His Legacy: An American Story (ddr-densho-1024-66)

Documentary film that profiles Nisei politician Norman Mineta with a particular focus on his childhood years in an American concentration camp and his role forty years later in the Redress movement. See this item in the Densho Resource Guide at: Norman Mineta and His Legacy: An American Story. See this item in the Digital Library …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-66/

av Blossoms & Thorns: A Community Uprooted (ddr-densho-1024-28)

Documentary film that examines Japanese American cut flower growers in Richmond, California, before, during and after World War II. Written and directed by Ken Kokka, the 19-minute film was funded by the Contra Costa Japanese American Citizens League. See this item in the Densho Resource Guide at: Blossoms & Thorns: A Community Uprooted . See this …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-28/

av Democracy Under Pressure: Japanese Americans and World War II (ddr-densho-1024-40)

Documentary film on the wartime experience of Japanese Americans from the San Diego area, including their exclusion and subsequent incarceration at Santa Anita Assembly Center and Poston , as well as their return home. The story is told through the eyes of former inmates Ruth Takahashi Voorhies (born 1923) and Ben Segawa (born 1930), along with …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-40/

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/

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 Lillie McCabe (ddr-csujad-29-19)

Photo of Lillie McCabe. Oral history audio and transcript are found in csufccop_jaoh_0030, csufccop_jaoh_0031, and csufccop_jaoh_0032. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: 1949_P03

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-29-19/

img [Photograph of Mrs. Lillian Baker, S.I. Hayakawa, and Virginia McCurdy] (ddr-csujad-29-110)

Mrs. Lillian Baker with S.I. Hayakawa and Virginia McCurdy. Mrs. Baker was South Bay Chair for Senator Hayakawa's primary campaign in 1977. Miss McCurdy was another campaign worker. See this object in the California State Universities Japanese American Digitization project site: P030

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-csujad-29-110/

av Relics from Camp: A Video Journey (ddr-densho-1024-67)

Companion film to art installation of the same name produced and directed by artist Kristine Yuko Aono and narrated in her first-person voice. Aono explains the origins of the projects and includes footage of her and her family visiting various former concentration camp sites to collect dirt and artifacts as well as installation of the exhibition …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-1024-67/

doc War Relocation Authority Individual Record (ddr-ohs-1-75)

War Relocation Authority Form 26 for Miyuki Yabe.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ohs-1-75/

doc Letter to National Archives and Records Administration from Miyuki (Yabe) Yasui (ddr-ohs-1-69)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ohs-1-69/

doc War Relocation Authority Case File for Mitsuye Yabe (ddr-ohs-1-74)

WRA - 26; WRA 156 - Request for Transportation of Property; Evacuee Property Report; War Relocation Authority Transportation Division Memorandums; WRA Basic Family Face Sheets; WRA Enlistee Service and Payment Record Cards; Alien Leave Permit; Permit for Evacuee to Return to a Relocation Center; Indefinite Leave Agreement; Evacuee File

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ohs-1-74/

doc War Relocation Authority Individual Record (ddr-ohs-1-73)

War Relocation Authority Form 26 for Mitsuye H. Yabe.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ohs-1-73/

doc Diary Notes of John A. Nelson (ddr-ohs-1-77)

The firsthand account of John A. Nelson, Administrative Officer and later Assistant Project Director at the Heart Mountain, describing camp operations between July and September 1942.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-ohs-1-77/

doc 2 letters to Jeanne Kojima Miyoshi from Richard "Dick" Kojima (ddr-densho-480-167)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-480-167/

doc Letter to Jeanne Kojima from Robert "Bob" Kojima (ddr-densho-480-166)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-480-166/

img Gila River Concentration Camp (ddr-densho-480-152)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-480-152/

doc Letter to Jeanne Kojima Miyoshi from Richard "Dick" Kojima (ddr-densho-480-168)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-480-168/

img Group poses in front of statue (ddr-densho-363-19)

Two unidentified men pose with Hatsuye Shimizu and Kimi Kuwahara in front of Buffalo Bill - The Scout statue in Cody, Wyoming.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-19/

img Sisters pose outside barracks (ddr-densho-363-24)

Sisters, Kimi and Joanne Kuwahara, pose in front of barracks. The caption on the bottom and side of the photograph reads "Me + Joanne 1944".

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-24/

img Group outside Heart Mountain Tunnel (ddr-densho-363-47)

The caption on the bottom of the photograph reads "Just outside the tunnel". Kimi Kuwahara is sitting on far left. Toshiko Tsuyuki on the right.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-47/

img Man poses outside barracks (ddr-densho-363-38)

Frank Komoto standing outside the barracks at Heart Mountain.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-38/

img Group visiting Cody, Wyoming (ddr-densho-363-17)

Two unidentified men pose with Tomi Ichida, Kimi Kuwahara, and Hatsuye Shimizu in Cody, Wyoming.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-17/

img Two women outside barracks (ddr-densho-363-28)

Kimi Kuwahara (left) with another unidentified woman pose outside Heart Mountain barracks.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-28/

img Mr. Saki (ddr-densho-363-53)

The caption on the back of the photograph reads "Heart Mountain Wyoming November 18, 1944, Mr. Saki".

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-53/

img Two men at Heart Mountain (ddr-densho-363-21)

Dan Satowa (left) and Frank Komoto (right) at Heart Mountain. The caption on the back of the photograph reads "Frank Komoto + Dan Satowa".

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-21/