Were All Japanese-Americans Sent to Camps During WWII or Just Those on the West Coast?
Despite the common misconception, it was not all Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II; only those on the West Coast of the continental USA were primarily affected. This article delves into the distinctions made between mainland Japanese Americans and those residing in Hawaii, highlighting the specific circumstances, policies, and motivations behind their treatment during this turbulent period.
Interment on the Western Coast of the Continental USA
In 1942, the United States declared the western part of the continental USA as an exclusion zone, prompting the internment of over 111,000 Japanese Americans residing there. This decision was rooted in a combination of racial distrust, economic motives, and political pressures. For a more detailed analysis, refer to the documentary Alternative Facts: The Lies of utive Order 9066 which premiered in 2018 and was later shown on US television PBS for a broader understanding of utive Order 9066.
The Groups Affected
Among the more than 111,000 Japanese Americans labeled under the exclusion order were:
Over 110,000 Japanese Americans of Nisei (second-generation US-born) and Issei (first-generation immigrants) descent. Over half were American citizens, while less than half held Japanese citizenship. This population was first housed in assembly centers, which were temporary reception centers, before being relocated to ten additional internment camps in remote areas across the United States. The internment camps operated from 1942 to 1946.The Japanese Americans in Hawaii
While the mainland experienced a significant policy of exclusion, the situation in Hawaii was quite different. Hawaii, which had been an American territory since 1898, had a much larger Japanese American population, totaling around 150,000. This community constituted more than a third of the population.
No General Policy of Exclusion
Contrary to the mainland, Hawaii did not implement a general policy of exclusion. Only a small number, more than 1,000 but less than 2,000, were arrested due to individual cases where local authorities had concrete evidence against them. The reason for this leniency was straightforward: it would have been both expensive and impractical to forcibly relocate such a large population on the mainland, especially considering the wartime needs for military transport.
Reasons for Hawaii’s Different Treatment
Several factors contributed to the differing treatment of Japanese Americans in Hawaii:
Shipping exigencies: Thousands of ships were needed for military operations, making the logistical task of moving 150,000 people to the mainland overwhelming. Economic impact: Removing such a significant portion of the workforce from Hawaii could have led to an economic collapse, which would have hampered the war effort. Rational decision-making: Authorities in Hawaii opted to use common sense in managing the situation, avoiding large-scale internment to maintain social stability and economic continuity.Political and Economic Motivation
The interment of Japanese Americans in the mainland was driven by political and economic motivations, rather than concrete evidence of disloyalty. White business communities in California viewed the Japanese Americans as economic rivals and used the attack on Pearl Harbor to advocate for the removal of these groups. President Roosevelt eventually complied with these demands, issuing utive Order 9066, which restricted the rights of Japanese Americans but never officially charged them with any crimes. The internment was rooted in racism and opportunism, not genuine evidence of disloyalty or illegal activities.
Conclusion
Although many misunderstandings persist, it is clear that the treatment of Japanese Americans during World War II was heavily shaped by racial prejudice and economic motivations. The United States government's actions highlighted a complex interplay of politics, economics, and social relations, with significant human and economic consequences for the American people. For a deeper understanding of these events, educators and historians often recommend studying documentaries like Alternative Facts: The Lies of utive Order 9066.