Wars and Ethnic Groups in America Essay Example

and were given various labor tasks, relying on communal areas for daily activities such as eating, washing, and doing laundry. The harsh living conditions within these camps, including extreme temperatures, unsanitary conditions, and physical and mental abuse, led to numerous deaths. Medical care often fell short, exacerbating the death toll. In conclusion, the living conditions endured by the internees can only be described as inhumane. Located in California, the Tule Lake facility housed both military personnel and immigrants who had been sent there for breaking rules or causing trouble while being closely monitored by camp authorities.The physical and psychological well-being of internees in the camps suffered due to constant monitoring and lack of privacy. Presidential proclamations 2526, 2525, and 2527 were issued under the Alien Enemies Act after Pearl Harbor to label Japanese, German, and Italian immigrants as enemies. The US used information from the Custodial Detention Index (CDI) to locate and detain these individuals. They were required to report any changes in address, occupation, or name to authorities overseen by the FBI; failure to comply resulted in arrest and placement in concentration camps. It appears that racial motives influenced the US response more than purely military actions for protecting American interests. As a result of these restrictive measures, both aliens and authorities faced hostility from American civilians. Racial conflicts arose within the United States due to such policies, causing all foreigners to be seen as threats to national security. Overnight, relationships drastically changed as divisions caused by these policies became evident. Foreigners encountered discrimination in social settings and prejudice when accessing available services.According to Michael (2009), it is partly accurate to argue that racism

influenced the government's response rather than it being solely seen as necessary military action for protection purposes. He examines how immigrants were treated during this time period in the US and supports this claim. All Japanese individuals, regardless of age or disabilities, were confined in concentration camps, raising questions about the treatment of disabled and orphaned children and their perceived security threat.

The media played a significant role in isolating Japanese immigrants by connecting them with the Pearl Harbor attack, fueling fear and prejudice among civilians. The Roberts Commission aimed to achieve this goal. William (2003) states that animosity between U.S farmers and foreign individuals engaged in farming at that time was created as a result.

White farm owners openly admitted their desire to remove Japanese immigrant farmers for their own self-interests, demonstrating that the response to the Pearl Harbor Bombing was racially motivated rather than a military necessity. Civil rights violations occurred, particularly for foreigners with Japanese accents who were restricted from accessing previously free areas and lost their freedom of expression.

Additionally, radio stations broadcasting to Japan were shut down, and Japanese immigrants who owned land became tenants further supporting this point.During their time in camps, those held had limited freedom of movement and required permission, all while being closely supervised by soldiers. However, once the war concluded in January 1945, the exclusion order was permanently lifted and internees were allowed to return home and start anew. Although some detainees were not yet ready to leave, they were provided accommodation in dismantled camps as they prepared for departure. Sadly, numerous internees experienced theft and destruction of their valuable possessions by American civilians during the exclusion period.

Nevertheless, with a new administration in place by 1948, Japanese-Americans received compensation for their financial losses through the American Evacuation Claims Act—a sign of America's changing perception towards post-war Japan. This support played a role in granting US citizenship rights to individuals of American-Japanese descent as part of Japan's reconstruction efforts. Ultimately, critics argue that the US government's response to the attacks was unnecessary and lacked objectivity despite claiming a focus on security interests.