Idaho History: American Japanese Incarceration

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Incarceration of Japanese
Conclusion
Works Cited

Introduction

The Incarceration of the Japanese is one of the most significant events in the history of the United States of America. There were two internment camps located in the state of Idaho before and during World War II. The following paper will discuss the history of Idaho focusing on the incarceration of the American Japanese.

Incarceration of Japanese

As it is mentioned above, the incarceration of the American Japanese before and during the events of World War II is an important part of the history of Idaho, which implied the imprisonment and relocation of people against their will. Approximately 120 000 people of Japanese ethnic background (62% of them were official citizens of the United States of America) were forced to leave the Pacific Coast of the country (Burton 163). It would be proper to mention that almost 10 000 Japanese had an opportunity to move to other states, whereas the other 110 000 individuals were imprisoned in several camps in the territory of Idaho (Burton 163). These places were officially referred to as war relocation centers. However, the Japanese could address the court to free themselves from these camps.

These relocations were officially sanctioned by President Franklin Roosevelt. He issued a decree that allowed the country’s military forces to determine specific “eviction zones”. The citizens who inhabited these areas could be relocated without giving their agreements to this action. As a result, all the representatives of the Asian nation were evicted from the lands of Washington, California, and Oregon to the camps mentioned in the previous part of the paper (Wegars and Ayukawa 167). In 1944, the USA governmental court stated that the deprival of a particular race’s citizenship rights did not contradict the constitution of the country if it was required by the “societal necessity”. However, all the laws about the Japanese’s restrictions were canceled in 1945 (Schwantes 78). Later, all the people who suffered in the camps of relocation in Idaho received their financial compensations for the property that they lost. Ronald Reagan signed a document that brought apologies to the representatives of the Japanese nation imprisoned during World War II.

Events Leading to the Incarceration

Approximately 90% of the entire Japanese Diaspora in the United States of America inhabited the state of California at the beginning of the 20th century. Unfortunately, the country’s economic system was not stable at that time. Therefore, many people competed for working places and private lands in this area (Gill 7). Hence, the Japanese became the objects of discrimination and even hate from representatives of other nations. It is essential to mention that the former governor of California signed the document that prohibited white people from marrying “Mongolians” (Gill 8). Moreover, the Japanese were deprived of their rights for education, which made it impossible for them to obtain American citizenship in the future. By the time when Pearl-Harbor was attacked, 127 000 Asians inhabited the country’s West Coast.

The defeat of Pearl-Harbor was one of the most significant events of American history and World War II in general. The USA government feared Japanese military forces as they captured vast territories in Asia. Another reason for the incarceration was the massive support of white farmers who could not cope with their competitors of Japanese ethnic background. It would be proper to mention that some representatives of the Asian nation were accused of espionage and sabotage.

The Life in Kooskia Internment Camp

The Kooskia internment camp was situated in an uninhabited part of Idaho. Therefore, it did not need any fences or guard towers. The government of the region forced the Japanese prisoners to work on Highway 12. Every person received not more than 60 dollars per month. Citizens who lived in Idaho did not meet with the Japanese on a regular basis (Fitz-Gerald 45). Therefore, there were almost no relationships between the two races. However, men who came to work on Highway 12 as volunteers disregarded the “Mongolians”. As it is mentioned above, the government also did not respect the rights of the Japanese as they were obliged to work hard six days per week (Fitz-Gerald 48). On Sundays, they had days off. The people used the valuable free time to write letters to their relatives, paint, read, and do other developing activities. Moreover, the prisoners were referred to as “enemy aliens” by individuals of European origins (Sowards 106). To conclude, it would be proper to state that the government and regular citizens were glad that fellow-countrymen of their potential enemy were imprisoned and did not consume many resources of the state.

The Life in Minidoka War Relocation Center

The Minidoka War Relocation Center was situated in the Magic Valley in the state of Idaho. This object held approximately 9 000 Japanese who were official citizens of the United States of America. The majority of these individuals were deported from the territories of Alaska, Oregon, and Washington. It is essential to mention that prisoners who lived in Minidoka had free access to various laundry facilities, showers, and a central mess hall (Redman 201). The entire object was divided into 36 separate blocks. Moreover, the territory of this relocation center had some educational institutions (elementary and high schools). Also, the Japanese worked at local barber and beauty shops, watch and radio repair stores, facilities that were selling a wide range of products, and dry cleaners. As to the reaction of other citizens, it would be proper to state that Minidoka internees installed what is called an “Honor Roll” to memorize their fellow Japanese who were official citizens of the United States of America (Redman 202). In turn, the country’s army (with the help of the government) allowed the representatives of the Asian nation to serve as militaries in 1943.

As it is mentioned above, such conflicts as the Pearl-Harbor battle and the dominance of Japanese in the state of California made the imprisonment acts against these American citizens and “residents ineligible for citizenship” possible. Representatives of the white race did not like that the Asian nation earned more money and posed a threat to the entire country (Redman 202). Therefore, their fellow-countrymen were deprived of citizenship and sent to war relocation centers. Also, the support of other individuals who lived in the Pacific Coast of the United States of America and did not want Japanese to be present in their lives gave the government another reason to use the workforce of “Mongolians” for the benefit of the country.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, Idaho has a rich history full of racism and nationalism. Japanese Americans were deported here against their will during World War II as they were not welcome to other territories of the Pacific Coast. War relocation centers held more than 110 000 representatives of the Asian nation. The government forced the prisoners to work hard six days per week for the benefit of the country.

Identification

Ruby Ridge is a location situated in the northern part of Idaho. This object became famous for a cruel incident that happened there in 1992. Several individuals were involved in a bloody murder: Randy Weaver, members of his family, Kevin Harris (the man’s friend), United States Marshals Service employees, and FBI agents (“Ruby Ridge”). The investigation revealed that one federal marshal named Bill Degan, Weaver’s wife, and his 14-year-old son were killed by the head of the family. In the end, the murderer and his friend were justified by a court. However, Weaver was imprisoned for the term 1,5 years because he disregarded the court’s summons (“Ruby Ridge”). Such sentencing was possible due to the professional lawyer of the defendant. The event that happened at Ruby Ridge had several ramifications for the future. For instance, the United States Justice Department prepared a report that consisted of 542 pages. This work described all the events that happened in the Weavers’ house before the incident mentioned above. Although the report was not published, it was circulating in Lexis Counsel Connect (“Ruby Ridge”). The state’s politicians then reviewed particular laws that were intended to prevent similar situations. Also, the tragedy influenced the establishment of the American militia movement that is present nowadays. Unfortunately, there are no possible positive outcomes of this case in the future as it can be repeated by other men due to the lack of severe punishment methods.

Cherie Buckner-Webb is the first African-American legislator of the Idaho state. Moreover, she is the first female in the entire history who happened to occupy the given position. This person is relevant to the state’s development because she destroyed people’s stereotypes and barriers that did not give some personalities an opportunity to govern Idaho due to their national backgrounds (The Color of Conscience: Human Rights in Idaho). Considering the elements of the viewed film, Buckner-Webb made human rights in the territory of the state almost equal among different races and other discriminative criteria. The fact that a black woman occupied such a high position might influence people’s mentality in the future regarding the question of local elections.

Cecil Andrus was a governor of Idaho twice. He was consulting local citizens until they elected him in 1986. When he was in the head of the state, the politician initiated the development of its educational system and the environment of the region (“Cecil D. Andrus” 00:26:45-00:39:23). Moreover, the politician toughened the punishment to people who abused their children and other young family members. It is necessary to mention that the governor acquired multiple awards for the elimination of various issues in the environment of Idaho. According to his lecture, it is advantageous to listen to every order of the U.S. President, instead of quibbling with his words. As to the ramifications, the taxes on holding private properties were lowered, whereas the educational system of the state was improved for this money. The governor’s deeds might have a certain influence on his successors in the future that can bring all his beginnings to an end.

Richard Butler was a believer from the state of Idaho. He also became a pastor and considered himself a white supremacist. He organized a movement called “Aryan Nations World Congress” (The Color of Conscience: Human Rights in Idaho). His activities influenced the establishment of the racist organization in the territory of the region. It would be proper to state that some politicians joined this organization as well. Therefore, Idaho remained one of the most dangerous states regarding nationalism. Perhaps, this issue might influence the establishment of other discriminative organizations in the future.

Works Cited

Burton, Jeffery Franz. “Excavating Legacy: Community Archaeology at a Japanese American World War II Incarceration Site.” Journal of Community Archaeology & Heritage, vol. 4, no. 3, 2017, pp. 160–172.

“Cecil D. Andrus.”YouTube, uploaded by GallatinPA1, Web.

Fitz-Gerald, Kyla. Skincare, Masculinity, and Internment: The Archaeology of Japanese Internees at Idahos Kooskia Internment Camp, 1943-1945. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2015.

Gill, Jill. “Playing Dixie: Idaho’s States’ Rights Alliance and the 1964 Civil Rights Act.” The Blue Review, vol. 2, no. 1, 2014, pp. 7-8.

Redman, Samuel. “Minidoka: An American Concentration Camp by Teresa Tamura.” Oral History Review, vol. 44, no. 1, 2016, pp. 201–203.

“Ruby Ridge.”American Experience, Web.

Schwantes, Carlos A. In Mountain Shadows: A History of Idaho. University of Nebraska Press, 1991.

Sowards, Adam M. Idaho’s Place: A New History of the Gem State. University of Washington Press, 2014.

The Color of Conscience: Human Rights in Idaho. Directed by Jay Krajic, performance by Tony Stewart, Idaho Public Television, 2011.

Wegars, Priscilla, and Michiko Midge Ayukawa. Imprisoned in Paradise: Japanese Internee Road Workers at the World War II Kooskia Internment Camp. Asian American Comparative Collection, University of Idaho, 2010.

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