The Japanese internment camps are one of the most important events in United States history during the 20th century. With the relocation of the Japanese to the Pacific coast of the United States, one of ten internment camps, where they would spend the next two years trying to survive in terrible conditions. Japanese internment camps in the 20th century caused the Japanese to lose everything they had and showed the power the United States used against Japanese minorities, even as the United States tried to protect its own citizens. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essayBefore 1853, Japanese leaders isolated themselves from European countries and their colonies (Japanese introduction). At that time, Japan was ruled by a monarchy, which meant that citizens didn't have much of an opinion. The working conditions of the Japanese were not very good, they were forced to stay in their country because they did not have a good country to go to. Many workers worked in the agricultural industry. In 1853, U.S. Navy Commander Matthew Perry "forced the reclusive nation to open itself to trade with the United States" (Japanese introduction). Japan began to adapt to the new technologies opened to it, which led to a huge decline in agriculture. Many of its citizens were forced to leave their countries in search of new opportunities. The Japanese now had a place to play because the United States had a very good opportunity compared to Japan. Many knew this and decided to come to the United States so that their children and children could have a good life and good chances in life. Many knew that in the United States they would earn “ten times more money than in their home country” (Japanese immigrants). Many Japanese decided to go to Hawaii or the Pacific coast of the United States. On May 6, 1882, the United States signed the Chinese Exclusion Act. This law was “one of the first significant laws in the United States impacting immigration” (Our documents). The law limited the number of Chinese allowed to enter the United States, leading to a drastic decrease in the number of Chinese migrants. This was important to Japanese people who were looking for a new life in a new country. Many plantation owners were prohibited from hiring Chinese workers, leading them to hire Japanese. Many saw this opportunity and decided to take advantage of it. Between 1886 and 1911, 400,000 Japanese citizens emigrated to the United States in search of new jobs and a new life. Due to the Chinese Exclusion Act, the Japanese became the largest ethnic group in the United States. Once they arrived in their new territory, they usually obtained jobs in the agricultural industry or in factories. The working conditions weren't very good either, but they knew it was an improvement and a sacrifice they had to accept. Many of these workers ended up in these positions because they received very low wages and worked more hours than Americans. Companies were happy to have people like this because they could produce more at less cost. Many American citizens began to worry that the Japanese were taking over all the jobs. Most Californians feared that the Japanese would depress the average wage. This led many Americans to feel hatred towards the Japanese. The Americans began to become hostile towards theJapanese immigrants. On May 14, 1905, the Asiatic Exclusion League, AEL, opposed Japanese immigration. AEL was able to achieve some of its goals because it didn't want the Japanese to take their jobs or let them change how people will be paid. The AEL organization was very influential, particularly in California, in getting Asian children to attend segregated schools. Still, more immigrants have come to the United States in search of work. Hatred against the Japanese also began to grow even more. Anti-Japanese propaganda also began to occur with the participation of one of the most famous authors, Dr. Seuss. Americans began to look at the government and complain because they were afraid they would take over farmland and the average government wage would decrease. The government found a solution, but Japan had to come to an agreement with America. On March 14, 1907, between the United States and Japan, an agreement emerged, called the "Gentleman's Agreement." The deal for Japan included limiting the number of people heading to the United States. In the United States, they would not impose any laws on the Japanese who are already in the country. This agreement also provided that “the San Francisco school board has repealed the segregation order” (Britannica). Japanese immigration to the United States caused many problems between the two groups of people. Americans began to hate the Chinese and not want them on their territory because they thought they were aggravating the Pacific coast of the United States and Hawaii. This caused a lot of racism during this period. During immigration, there was an anti-Japanese movement. There were many problems during this time because Americans were stereotypical, hostile, and had many racist acts. Hatred towards the Japanese began to grow more and more. People have taken old prejudices that were aimed directly at the Chinese and now use them towards the Japanese. Japanese were also prohibited from marrying people of the other race, becoming citizens, purchasing land, and obtaining employment in certain businesses. This prevented many Japanese people from having a better life. The Americans begin to prevent the Japanese from migrating to the United States and doing much in America. On September 1, 1939, World War II broke out between the Axis Powers and the Allies, with Japan being one of the Axis Powers. Since the Japanese were part of the war, many believed that the Japanese in America would also launch an attack on American soil. On October 7, 1941, during the war, a 29-page report was sent to the White House by Curtis B. Munson. This was before the United States entered the war. Munson traveled to California and the Pacific Coast to check on the condition of the Japanese. Munson finished the report and in the report he said, "They've had some problems, but it's not a problem the country needs to worry about." This report was important because people feared that the war from the other side was coming towards them. The Americans did not want to engage in another war when they had just ended World War I, barely 20 years ago. On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise military attack against the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, a Hawaiian territory. This surprise military attack by the Japanese killed 2,335 people, including 68 civilians (The Path to Pearl Harbor). Government officials feared that Japan had spies in the United States and that further attacks would occur in their country. Some Americans were very paranoid about being and having to live inalongside the Japanese. On February 19, 1942, two months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, President Franklin Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066. ¨President Roosevelt was encouraged by the federal government and the group. called the “Fifth Column” to be able to protect the citizens of the United States. It was only two months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, this order gave the "military authority to transport all Japanese citizens, from Japanese ancestors to residential aliens of Japan" (Executive Order 9066). This decree also displaced approximately 110,000 to 120,000 Japanese, most of whom came from the Pacific coast. About two-thirds of the camp prisoners were natural-born American citizens. Even though the Munson report was released a few months ago, the US government has almost completely ignored it. With the decree, the Japanese had to be transferred to one of 10 internment camps located along the west coast of the United States. The most populated camps being Manzanar and Santa Anita, both of which are in California, with the least populated being in Mayer, Arizona. One of the most popular camps was Manzanar, with its first inmates arriving on March 21, 1942, with a maximum population of 9,666. Many Japanese never knew where they would be transported and imprisoned. Many Japanese upon resettlement were only allowed to take what they could carry using only their own. Some also had to sell their property and belongings. People who bought their homes and belongings usually bought the items at a very low price, which was unfair to the Japanese. The ten internment camps were built in deserts, plains and swamps around seven states. The internment camps were surrounded by watchtowers as if they were also surrounded by barbed wire. Most conditions in the internment camps were very harsh. The camps were “overcrowded and did not offer the best living conditions because the walls where they were housed were barracks covered with tar paper” (Internment during World War II). Most camps did not have the necessary housing requirements, for example, the barracks did not have any sort of plumbing or kitchen facilities. Food was rationed, but they still had to pay for the food. People had jobs, but those jobs were in the internment camps where they had to work very hard to get paid. Many Japanese people realized that the food they were given would not be enough to survive for that long, so they decided to start their own small farm in their living area. Many were confused about how they were being treated. Many American-born Japanese considered themselves Americans, like Bill Shishima, who was in the camp. She said: “I knew we were so-called Japanese. I thought I was American too, but I found out I wasn't. I always thought I was American” (Camp Survivors). About two-thirds of the Japanese sent to internment camps were born in the United States, and many claimed to be American citizens. The United States gave the Japanese the opportunity to leave the internment camps on one condition. The Japanese were required to enlist and serve in the military for the duration of the war. “Approximately 30,000 Nisei men served in uniform,” the term Nisei meaning a person born in the United States and whose parents were immigrants from Japan. “An all-Nisei unit, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, became the most decorated unit of its size in U.S. history” (Behind the Wire). The idea that this group of Japanese..