Wartime Internment Camps
Introduction
Imagine that one day you received notice that you and your whole family must be ready
to move within 48 hours. You could take only the possessions you could carry and no one
would tell you when you would be permitted to return home. Sound like a bad dream?
This happened to over 100,000 United States citizens and legal residents during World
War II. Your job is to find out why.
The Task
You are a reporter whose assignment is to write a article that attempts to examine the
internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. Your job is to research the
causes and effects, review primary resources and write A FEATURE article FOR A
NEWSPAPER. Choose your sources very carefully because your editor will challenge
any apparent bias.
The article is due by the END OF CLASS ON FRIDAY 3/6.
Resources
Below is a list of suggested links. It is not necessary to go to each link in order to get the
information you need, or you may choose to go to outside resources. Remember, not all
web sites are created equal! Check the author or source of the information you see to
determine its reliability and authority. Personal web pages should show bibliographic
information.
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Newspaper Articles from the Museum of San Francisco
Japanese Americans Internment from the Arkansas Archives at the University of
Central Arkansas.
Ansel Adams photos from the Library of Congress and
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/anseladams/
Dorothea Lange Photos from Museum of San Francisco.
Detainee letter
Dr. Seuss Political Cartoon The political cartoon “Waiting for the Signal From
Home…” is one of many produced by Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) between
the years 1941-1943 as chief editorial cartoonist for the PM Newspaper. The
cartoon depicts common propaganda feelings about individuals of Japanese
ancestry living in the United States after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941.
“Waiting for the Signal From Home…” Dr. Seuss. February 13, 1942. Box 18.
Folder 16. PM Newspaper, Newspaper clippings of cartoons, 1942 January-April.
Madeville Special Collections Library, University of California San Diego.
Estelle Ishigo Watercolor Painting "Home" Estelle Ishigo was a European
American sent to Heart Mountain Relocation Camp due to her husband’s
Japanese heritage. She depicted her observations and experiences in the relocation
camp through watercolor paintings and black and white sketches. “Home”
provides insight into the living conditions of people living in barracks in the
relocation camp. Estelle Ishigo watercolor painting, “Home,” Heart Mountain,
December 1942. Box 719. Estelle Ishigo Papers (Collection 2010. Department of
Special Collections, Young Research Library, University of California, Los
Angeles.
Excerpts from Oral Interview with Al Hida Interview with Al Hida, a Japanese
American sent to an internment camp with his family located outside Sacramento,
California. The interview describes Hilda’s thoughts and experiences as a seventh
grade boy moving to and living in a relocation camp. Al Hida. D.C. Everest Area
Schools. World War II: More Stories from Our Veterans (Weston, Wis.: D.C.
Everest Area Schools, 2004); 429-433.
Instructions to All Persons of Japanese Ancestry (PDF) Posting that was
distributed to individuals of Japanese ancestry living in Los Angeles, California in
1942. The document outlines instructions for evacuation to the Assembly Center
where they were then relocated to internment camps. “Instructions to All Persons
of Japanese Ancestry.” May 3, 1942. Box 74. Item 33. Manzanar War Relocation
Center Records (Collection 122). Department of Special Collections, Young
Research Library, University of California, Los Angeles.
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The War Relocation Work Corps Pamphlet (PDF, 518KB) Scrapbook
compiled by Robert and Toshi Akamatsu, a Japanese American couple who were
interned at the relocation camp in Topaz, Utah during World War II. The items in
the scrapbook include newspaper clippings depicting camp life, a pamphlet
published by the War Relocation Work Corps, and a welcome guide to the Topaz,
Utah Relocation Camp. Akamatsu, Robert. Robert and Toshi Akamatsu papers.
1941-2003. Wisconsin State Historical Society. Call Number: M84-402, reel 1
AP93-1539.
Welcome to Topaz “Don’ts” and “Do’s Pamphlet” (PDF, 508KB) Scrapbook
compiled by Robert and Toshi Akamatsu, a Japanese American couple who were
interned at the relocation camp in Topaz, Utah during World War II. The items in
the scrapbook include newspaper clippings depicting camp life, a pamphlet
published by the War Relocation Work Corps, and a welcome guide to the Topaz,
Utah Relocation Camp. Akamatsu, Robert. Robert and Toshi Akamatsu papers.
1941-2003. Wisconsin State Historical Society. Call Number: M84-402, reel 1
AP93-1539.
The Process
1. Research the life of a typical internee, and the history of the camps. Some
questions for you to think about:
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Where were most of the camps located and what were the facilities like?
How did the internees spend their time?
What were the concerns of the internees?
Why were these camps set up in the first place?
What were the US government’s reasons for setting them up?
What was the mainstream reaction to these camps?
2. Select a picture(s) to illustrate your article.
3. Write an article for a newspaper during or immediately after WWII. It could be an
editorial, human interest story, headline, etc.
Learning Advice
As a reporter you are asked to gather facts and report them in an unbiased manner. You
search for the basic answers to WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, and WHY. Because this
is a feature article rather than a news article you will delve into this topic more deeply. As
you present your material deal with opinions about and repercussions from this episode in
American history. Your job is to provide not only context but some historical perspective.