Dbq Essay On Japanese Internment Camps

1360 Words6 Pages

December 1941 acted as a catalyst for one of the worst atrocities in history. When Japan bombed America’s naval base at Pearl Harbor, they set off an effect that would leave a vast majority of Americans fearful for when the next attack may occur on their homeland. At the face of pressure, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 that would forcibly remove those of Japanese ancestry from their households, and place them into internment camps. Many Japanese were given less than a week to pack up the lives they have grown accustomed to. Over 110,000 Japanese and Japanese American citizens were stripped of their freedom and forced to relocate. It could be said that many factors went into this immoral choice. One could argue …show more content…

Many Americans firmly believed that the economy would prosper and be more in their favor if the Japanese were removed from the working scene. Americans saw that the Japanese were taking jobs away from Americans and robbing the native born citizens. Many people have migrated to America, because America is known for being the land of freedom and opportunities. One pull factor was the idea that many jobs were available in the U.S. Austin Anson, the managing secretary of the Grower-Shipper Vegetable Association stated that the Japanese came to stay and take over the white man's job. “If all the Japs were removed tomorrow, we’d never miss them in two weeks, because the white farmers can take over and produce everything the Jap grows,” (Grodzins). Americans were fearful that there wouldn’t be any jobs available for them if the Japanese kept occupying most of them. This helped to shape their opinion towards the Japanese. Americans were under the impression that if the Japanese were removed, then they would become financially …show more content…

On December 7, 1941, Japanese Imperial Navy Air Forces unexpectedly attacked the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor. This sent a vast majority of the citizens into a state of fear. Americans were fearful that the Japanese living in the U.S were spies for Japan and they were planning the next attack on the United States. A political cartoon by Dr.Seuss illustrates those of Japanese descent from different states, waiting in line to receive TNT (“Waiting for the Signal From Home…”). Dr.Seuss was arguing that the Japanese are infiltrating the U.S as spies for Japan, and they are waiting for a signal from home to initiate their next attack on the U.S. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, many citizens were suspicious of anyone from Japanese heritage. A vast majority of Americans lost a sense of trust towards the Japanese. Citizens were convinced that the Japanese were being recruited as spies and they would be more likely to sympathize and support Japan. Americans argued that the nation would be safer if all Japanese immigrants and Japanese American citizens were removed. Citizens saw the Japanese as a threat to their security because they were fearful of what could come next. Americans believed that the Japanese were coming to America to take over their country. “They run their stores. They clerk in stores. They clip lawns. They are here, there and everywhere,” (McLemore). Many of those