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Japanese American Incarceration Camp Research Guide

the Japanese-American Incarceration Camp Research Guide features collections of primary and secondary sources which elucidate on the cultural, political, and historical aspects of Japanese-American incarceration during WWII.

Media

Life was very difficult for children in the camps. They had to leave their friends and the life they knew behind. Some of their belongings were stolen, and they lived in bleak camps under constant guard. They attended camp-school houses, which were crowded and lacked necessary resources like books and desks. Scared and confused, many of them developed trauma and other psychological issues. They couldn't understand the reactions of their parents, or being called an “enemy." Feelings of abandonment, guilt, and shame were very common. Their childhood became the camps. At the same time, their innocence and adaptability allowed them to enjoy what they could. They wrote letters, played games, and practiced martial arts (Ina 2001, Tong 2004, Takei 2020). 

Primary Sources

Secondary Sources