Japanese Internment Camps Effects

“In an atmosphere of World War II hysteria, President Roosevelt, encouraged by officials at all levels of the federal government, authorized the internment of tens of thousands of American citizens of Japanese ancestry and resident aliens from Japan” (Historymatters). This was known as the Executive Order of 9066 (Historymatters). After this order was issued, within a short amount of time, many young children and adults of Japanese decedent were forced to evacuate their homes, pack a few of their belongings, and make their way toward internment camps (PBS). Whether it was a positive or negative effect on the internees, Japanese Internment camps had a tremendous impact on each of their lives. In what ways were Japanese American’s lives altered? How did internment camps affect them? The book, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford, portrayed the different effects Japanese internment camps had on Japanese Americans such as various internees feeling traumatized by the environment, others felt safe because it helped them escape discrimination, some were joyful because the …show more content…
In fact, ongoing racism that occurred almost daily in their normal lives, made them feel more safe once inside concentration camps. It was their escape from discrimination. “Prejudice against Japanese Americans, including laws preventing them from owning land, existed long before World War II. Even though Japanese Americans largely considered themselves loyal and even patriotic Americans, suspicions about their loyalties were pervasive” (Calisphere). Japanese Americans were constantly being questioned about their loyalty. Prejudice on the lands, was a big factor as to why some Japanese Americans felt better off in internment camps. Discrimination was more overwhelming to them than being in concentration camps. Additionally, it was a relief to them that they were free of