U.S. Government Newsreel: Japanese Relocation

Summary

Milton Eisenhower narrates the forced relocation of over 100,000 Japanese Americans following the attack on Pearl Harbor, framed as a necessary military measure. The U.S. government, facing fears of sabotage and espionage, initiated a systematic evacuation that saw families uprooted from their homes and businesses. Despite initial voluntary relocation efforts, many were eventually moved to assembly centers, like Santa Anita racetrack, where they endeavored to rebuild community life. Eisenhower emphasizes the resilience of these individuals and the importance of treating all people with dignity, highlighting the ongoing story of their contributions and struggles during wartime.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor created a fear of invasion on the west coast, leading to the internment of over 100,000 people of Japanese ancestry.
• 😀 Among those interned, two-thirds were American citizens, while one-third were non-citizen aliens.
• 😀 Military authorities justified the internment by claiming it was necessary to prevent sabotage and espionage during wartime.
• 😀 The evacuation process was conducted with consideration for the affected families, involving both military and civilian agencies.
• 😀 Japanese Americans were initially encouraged to leave voluntarily before a mandatory relocation was implemented.
• 😀 The government assisted evacuees in managing their properties, but many faced financial losses during the relocation.
• 😀 Assembly centers were established at racetracks and fairgrounds, where evacuees lived temporarily before being moved to more permanent relocation centers.
• 😀 Despite the challenging conditions, the Japanese American communities attempted to maintain normalcy by organizing religious services and community activities.
• 😀 Many evacuees engaged in productive work, such as agriculture and other labor-intensive jobs, despite their internment.
• 😀 The narrator emphasizes the hope that the Japanese American citizens will eventually regain their freedoms, while also underlining a commitment to humane treatment during a time of fear.

Q & A

What event prompted the evacuation of Japanese Americans on the west coast?

The attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan prompted the evacuation due to fears of potential sabotage and espionage.

What was the demographic composition of the Japanese Americans affected by the evacuation?

More than 100,000 persons of Japanese ancestry were affected, with two-thirds being American citizens and one-third being aliens.

What steps did military authorities take to address the situation of Japanese Americans?

Military authorities determined that all Japanese Americans, both citizens and aliens, needed to move inland from coastal areas deemed critical.

How did the evacuation process begin for Japanese Americans?

The evacuation process began with voluntary relocation encouraged by the Army, but soon transitioned to a planned and protected basis due to difficulties faced by evacuees.

What were some of the challenges faced by Japanese Americans during the evacuation?

Challenges included the loss of property, financial sacrifices when disposing of belongings, and adjusting to new living conditions in assembly centers.

What facilities were used as assembly centers for the evacuees?

Assembly centers were set up at race tracks and fairgrounds, such as Santa Anita racetrack, where evacuees lived temporarily until they could move to new communities.

What community activities did Japanese Americans engage in while in the assembly centers?

They held church services, issued their own newspapers, organized nursery schools, and participated in work like making camouflage nets for the military.

How did the Japanese Americans contribute to the war effort after being relocated?

They engaged in agricultural work, such as irrigation of desert lands, and built facilities that contributed to the American war effort, including rubber supply projects.

What future developments were anticipated for the Japanese American communities?

The narrative suggested that these communities would grow and thrive, contributing to the reclamation of land and education for their children.

What message did the narrator convey regarding the treatment of Japanese Americans?

The narrator emphasized the importance of treating all individuals humanely, without violating principles of decency, and hoped to set a standard for others.