Japanese American Internment and Its Global Impact

Executive Order 9066

Authorized relocation of Japanese Americans on 19 February 1942.

General John L. DeWitt

Described Japanese as an 'enemy race' post-Pearl Harbor.

442nd Regimental Combat Team

Most decorated unit in US Army history, fought in Europe.

Women's Army Corps (WAC)

Recruited Japanese American women for military intelligence roles.

Japanese Canadian Workers

Faced discrimination and job loss after Pearl Harbor.

Internment Camps (USA)

Ten camps established for Japanese Americans by spring 1942.

Topaz Camp

Internment camp in Utah with extreme temperature variations.

Economic Impact of Internment

Japanese American farmers lost $500 million in 1942.

Redress Movement

Sought compensation and apologies for internment injustices.

American Japanese Claims Act

1948 act granting $37 million to surviving internees.

Formal Apology (1988)

US Congress apologized and compensated $20,000 to each internee.

Comparative Treatment

Germans and Italians not interned despite wartime status.

Property Destruction

Returning internees found their properties damaged or destroyed.

Pre-War Japanese Population (USA)

Approximately 110,000 Japanese Americans on Pacific Coast.

Arrests Preceding Internment

3,000 Japanese Americans arrested shortly after war outbreak.

Internment Conditions (Canada)

Canada spent less per capita on Japanese Canadian internees.

Japanese Peruvians

1,800 arrested and interned in the USA starting 1942.

Japanese Brazilians

Faced arrests and restrictions following January 1942 conference.

Cuba's Japanese Community

Entire community interned on Isle of Pines during war.

Native Americans in WWII

Over 40,000 enlisted, representing 10% of their population.

Peru's Immigration Law (1936)

Restricted citizenship for children of non-Peruvian parents.

Brazil's Proposed Legislation (1943)

Aimed to permanently ban Japanese immigration based on race.

Cultural Impact

Japanese schools closed and language use restricted in Latin America.

Internment Camps (Canada)

Ten camps established for Japanese Canadians, with poor conditions.

Japanese American Soldiers

30,000+ served in US military, notable for bravery.

Spy Convictions

Only ten convictions for spying, all Caucasian.

Japanese Immigrants in Peru

26,000 lived in Peru by 1941, faced severe restrictions.

Japanese Immigrants in Brazil

250,000 affected by anti-Japanese measures during the war.