What was the Japanese- American Internment?

During World War II, the United States government forced more than 120,000 Japanese-Americans to leave their homes, farms, schools and jobs. In a few instances, families were separated. From the years 1942 to 1945, the Japanese-Americans lived in Internment camps, most of which were absolutely deplorable living conditions.

What was the Executive Order 9066?

This act was inssued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. This act was based on ethnicity and permitted the United States military to bypass or omit the constitutional safeguards of American citizens in the name of national defense. The order excluded persons of Japanese ancestry (at the time living of the West Coast of America) from residing and working in specific locations. Because of the devastating circumstances there was an uprootment that culminated in the enormous evacuation and incarcertation of most Japanese-Americans, most of whom were either U.S. citizens or legal, permanent resident aliens.

What was the War Relocation Authority (WRA)?

The War Relocation Authority was created a civilian agency responsible for helping the internees of the internment camps become acclimated with the new way of life at the camps. It was strongly hoped that a majority of the residents would move out of restricted areas and live more inland on their own intiative. Approximately 8,000 internees were allowed to move however, hostility and resistance on moving became a problem. The WRA was also made to maintain the camps for as long as possible. The camps were not intended to be merely places of confinement, they were to provide communities for the internees to live, work and contribute and eventually mainstream back into society. Of course, the idea of the camps created a negative thoughts amongst the Japanese-Americans towards the United States government.

What was the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment Civilians about?

This was established by Congress in 1980 and the commission in charge reviewed the impact of the Executive Order 9066 on Japanese-Americans which then determined that the thousands of people involved were the victims of discrimination by the Federal Government.