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 (283)
Concentration camps (2078)

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2078 items

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/

img Summer hike (ddr-densho-363-11)

A group poses for a photograph on a summer hike from Heart Mountain. Front row (left to right): Asano Marutama, Kiyo, Kimiko, Nancy Oyama, Hatsuye Shimizu; Back row: Mr. Yamamoto, Kimi Kuwahara, Tomi Ichida, Toshiko

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-11/

img Group visiting Cody, Wyoming (ddr-densho-363-18)

Tomiye, Ichida, Hatsuye Shimizu, and Kimi Kuwahara pose for a photograph in Cody, Wyoming.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-18/

img Sitting on barracks steps (ddr-densho-363-23)

Suemi Kuwahara and her daughter, Joanne, sit on barracks steps at Heart Mountain. Caption on the front of the photograph reads "Mom and Joanne".

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-23/

img Woman sitting on rock (ddr-densho-363-15)

Tsuyako Sugimoto from El Monte California at Heart Mountain.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-15/

img Group photograph (ddr-densho-363-20)

A group poses in a field. The caption written on the bottom of the photograph identifies the group from left to right: Mary, Tamony, Kimi Kuwahara, Chiyeko, Nancy Oyama, Joanne Kuwahara, Nakamura, Taddy, Kimi Uchida, Toshiko, Tsuyuki, Hatsuye Shimizu, and Unidentified man.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-20/

img Woman poses near barracks (ddr-densho-363-12)

Kimi Kuwahara poses for a photograph near the barracks at Heart Mountain concentration camp.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-12/

img Woman poses on barrack steps (ddr-densho-363-10)

Kimi Kuwahara in front of barracks.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-363-10/

img Koura Family at Manzanar (ddr-densho-544-6)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-544-6/

img Kay Kubota with grandfather (ddr-densho-544-2)

Caption on back in black ink: "In concentration camp. 2 years. Kay."

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-544-2/

doc Crystal City class reunion mini-yearbook (ddr-densho-537-130)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-537-130/

doc Crystal City Chatter Issue 81 (ddr-densho-537-90)

Issue 81 includes a recap of a Las Vegas bus strip, an obituary for Tanimoto "Toki" Maeda, letters to the editor, and more.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-537-90/

doc Crystal City Chatter Issue 121 (ddr-densho-537-119)

Issue 121 includes a recap of a Las Vegas bus trip, an announcement that David Ono will attend the Shinnen Kai luncheon, information about the final Crystal City Association events, and more.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-537-119/

doc Letter from Sumi Utsushigawa-Shimatsu to Satomi Ishida (ddr-densho-537-9)

Sumi Utsushigawa-Shimatsu writes to Satomi and Tad Ishida inviting them to the 1993 Crystal City Reunion.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-537-9/

doc Crystal City Chatter Issue 84 (ddr-densho-537-93)

Issue 84 includes information about a shrine carved by Isamu Taniguchi, an article about the "correct name" for Crystal City, health advice, and more.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-537-93/

doc Crystal City Chatter Issue 72 (ddr-densho-537-81)

Issue 72 includes mention of the death of Bert Nakano, humorous articles, a book review for Tetsuden Kashima's book "Judgment Without Trial," and more.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-537-81/

doc Crystal City Association reunion survey (ddr-densho-537-10)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-537-10/

doc Historical Narrative on Crystal City Internment Camp (ddr-densho-537-127)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-537-127/

doc Postcard from Sumi Shimatsu to Satomi Ishida (ddr-densho-537-12)

Sumi Shimatsu writes to Satomi Ishida about the death of their sensei.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-537-12/

doc Crystal City Chatters Issue 4 (ddr-densho-537-18)

Issue 4 includes information about an upcoming picnic, a review of Yoshiaki Fukuda's book "My Six Years of Internment," a Hawaii Herald article, and more.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-537-18/

doc Crystal City Picnic itinerary (ddr-densho-537-15)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-537-15/

doc Crystal City Chatters Issue 5 (ddr-densho-537-19)

Issue 5 includes information about an upcoming picnic, congratulations to Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, health concerns, and more.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-537-19/

doc Senior Banquet Program (ddr-densho-537-5)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-537-5/

doc Letter from Nobusuke Fukuda to Satomi Ishida (ddr-densho-537-11)

Nobusuke Fukuda writes to Satomi Ishida requesting photographs for an upcoming English translation of Rev. Yoshiaki Fukuda's book, "Yokuryu Seikatsu Rokunen" (My Six Years of Internment).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-537-11/