Figure 1.--This is the a highschool art class at the Poston relocation center in early 1945.

The Army set of 10 permanent camps in isolated areas in the Western states. The internees in the temporary camps were quickly moved to these camps (October 1942). The camps were administered by the War Relocation Authority (WRA), a civilian agency under the Department of the Interior (DOI). The DOI was given the responsibility because the camps were established on Federal lands. They were located at sites selected for their isolation. As a result they were sited in sime of the most desolate areas imaginable. This included deserts, moutenous areas, and swampy land. The climate were also severe ranging from freezing winters and intense summer heat. Japanese Americans coming from Pacific-coast areas with mild climates were unprepared for this. The internees found very little in these camps when they first arrived beyond very basic barracks--essentially tar-paper shacks. Gradually conditions improved as the WRA began to organize the camps, facilities constructed, and deliveries of food and medical supplies organized. The Japanese themselves played a major role in organizing camp life. Soon canteens, mess halls, hospitals, and schools were set up. The Japanese staff at these facilities received wages, although very small. Most internees arrived at the camps with only clothes. In the barracks families found bascially cots and basic stove for heating. The internees set out furnishing their quarters. Some of the more skilled built basic furniture. They also were allowed to order items from mail-order catalogs. While the internment of Japanese Americans was a terrible injustice, depriving them of their property in many instances and their freedom for several years, the camps were quite different than the the NAZI and Japanese concentration camps. The internees were given adequate food and the children attended local schools. Japanese Americans formed Boy Scout troops such as at the Gila River Relocation Center, Arizona, during 1943. One of the most moving images at the camps were interned Boy Scouts behind barbed wire raising the American flag, a daily ritual. You wonder what those boys were thinking each day as they did this.

Camps Established

The Army set of 10 permanent camps in isolated areas in the Western states. The internees in the temporary camps were quickly moved to these camps (October 1942).

The War Relocation Authority (WRA)

The camps were administered by the War Relocation Authority (WRA), a civilian agency under the Department of the Interior (DOI). The DOI was given the responsibility because the camps were established on Federal lands. The WRA was directed by Milton Eisenhower, Dwight Eisenhower's brother. Eisenhower's concept was to set up a program similar to the Civilian Conservation Camp (CCC) system. He envisioned allowing the internees to move freely in and out of the camps during the day. Western governors would not hear of that. Eisenhower resigned and was replaced by Dillon Meyer who comendably worked to improve conditions. [Black, p. 724.]

Location

They were located at sites selected for their isolation. As a result they were sited in sime of the most desolate areas imaginable. This included deserts, moutenous areas, and swampy land. The climate were also severe ranging from freezing winters and intense summer heat. Japanese Americans coming from Pacific-coast areas with mild climates were unprepared for this.

Amenities

The internees found very little in these camps when they first arrived beyond very basic barracks--essentially tar-paper shacks. Gradually conditions improved as the WRA began to organize the camps, facilities constructed, and deliveries of food and medical supplies organized. Most internees arrived at the camps with only clothes. In the barracks families found bascially cots and basic stove for heating. The internees set out furnishing their quarters. Some of the more skilled built basic furniture. They also were allowed to order items from mail-order catalogs.

Camp Life

The Japanese themselves played a major role in organizing camp life. Soon canteens, mess halls, hospitals, and schools were set up. The Japanese staff at these facilities received wages, although very small.

Schools

Boy Scouts

Japanese Americans formed Boy Scout troops such as at the Gila River Relocation Center, Arizona, during 1943. One of the most moving images at the camps were interned Boy Scouts behind barbed wire raising the American flag, a daily ritual. You wonder what those boys were thinking each day as they did this.

Mrs. Roosevelt

Mrs. Roosevelt did not forget the Japanese Americans. Apparently Elenor did not comply with her husband's request not to raise the issue. He finally asked her to visit one of the camps. She visited the Gila River Camp (April 1943). She was impressed with the ingenuity of the internees in making do, but was apauled at the prison camp environment. She incouraged the President to improve conditions. Both he and Secretary Ickes did discuss the matter with Secretary Simpson. I am unsure if any actual steps were taken to improve conditions. Many of the internees were allowed to leave, however, by the end of 1943. Some of the internees enlisted in the military and their performe in the War became legendary. Many others obtained work permits. Between these two expefients, about one-third of the internees were able to leave the camps. [Black, p. 724.]

Assessment

While the internment of Japanese Americans was a terrible injustice, depriving them of their property in many instances and their freedom for several years, the camps were quite different than the the NAZI and Japanese concentration camps. The internees were given adequate food and the children attended local schools.

Sources

Black, Conrad. Franklin Delano Roosevelt:Champion of Freedom (Public Affairs: New York, 2003), 1280p.

Created: 11:54 PM 11/11/2005
Last updated: 6:10 AM 11/13/2005