Why were the Japanese-Americans relocated during World War II, and not the German-Americans?

Question

This is for a project in one of my college classes. I need to find some experts to possibly interview to get some info by next week, preferably before Wednesday.

This is for a project in one of my college classes. I need to find some experts to possibly interview to get some info by next week, preferably before Wednesday.

Ihave more than a week to research, I just have to have a basic annotated bibliography by next Wednesday. I was hoping I might be able to find somebody who has knowledge of the era, culture, society, etc. such as a professor through here.

Answer 1

Isn't it obvious? In present-day America, if you were to walk down a street and notice an Asian guy, you would be quick to point out that he is Chinese, Japanese, or East Asian. But it isn't that easy to target a German-American because America is a mixed society of predominantly white/European origin people. It was something based on discrimination, pure and simple.

Answer 2

It is race pure and simple. From the early 20th century on, America did everything possible to limit the amount of immigration from East Asia. The Japanese were one of the groups that had major restrictions put on their immigration to the U.S. If you look at the peace process of 1919 that was a major issue for both Japan and China, both countries wanted fair treatment by the U.S. and Western European powers.

When Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Anti-Asian policy was at an all time high in the U.S. with the Japanese being affected the most. White America always has a problem with people of color, so it was quite natural to round up the Japanese-Americans after Pearl Harbor was attacked. Yes Japan attacked us and as a White American I would probably approve of the Government's policy, but that does not mean it should have been followed.

The Germans were a much bigger threat from a racial standpoint and most White Americans would not come close to fitting the Nazi idea of racial purity. War is war many things happen that should not happen but they do, you need to find Japanese-Americans to talk to who's families were rounded up. Perhaps a Japanese-American cultural society could find the people you need to talk to, good luck.

Answer 3

The Japaneese Americans were relocated because Japaneese soldiers had been spying and getting information before the attack on Pearl Harbor. So the Americans didn't want them trying to blend in so the Japaneese could get more info. The Germans had no way of getting into America because Germans were not permitted to get into America when England and France declared war on Germany, and Italy. The English never declared war on the Japaneese. O yeah if you would like to interview me then or talk to me then E-mail me at Steelers_rock_homeschoolers_


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Answer 4

One of the largest populations in the USA now and then are German Americans as I am, the other group being Irish/British. Many of the government officials were German Americans as well the Japanese attacked American soil, the Germans did not.
Another thought was Hawaii was so close to California on the Pacific ocean and submarines could have already dropped off Japanese agents before Pearl was attacked as well the natural migration of Japanese prior.Most of the cowboys in Texas were of German decent for example. Immigration/INS looked closely I am sure at any Germans coming to America at that time as well many were investigated and followed.

Answer 5

There are many reasons, but the most important thing is that the Jap's attacked Pearl Harbor so although Germany was America's enemy at the time the Americans had a hatred and they also feared that Japanese American's were acting as spies so the Japanese Americans got relocated.

Answer 6

The answer is 1. Even today, the government cites national security as a chief reason to undermine individual liberties. To debunk the other answers, (2) most of the people were full legal citizens, (3) many of whom served in the armed forces (see the Flying Tigers), and 4 just doesn't make any sense. I hope this helps!

Answer 7

The attack on Pearl Harbor shocked the American people to such an extent that it created a paranoia. Also, Japanese intelligence aided in the attack so it was feared that Japanese within the continental United States would provide intelligence to the Empire of Japan as well.
Although Germany had spies within the US most of their intelligence efforts were concentrated on Great Britain.

Answer 8

I'm sure you can find a club in your area with war veterans. You should be able to find someone that was a part of WWII. As far as why the Japanese-Americans were relocated and the German-Americans were not... The germans didn't bomb pearl harbor the Japanese did, therefore they were the more immediate threat to us.

Answer 9

Actually, there was some number of Italian and Germans rounded up after the Axis declared war. Racism had much to do with the relocation of Japanese, but you can not discount the attack on Pearl Harbor as being not influential.

Answer 10

the japanese bombed pearl harbour and the germans did not - japanese were also interned in canada during the war - the us govt was terrified of a jap uprising on the mainland - of terrorists etc -- it was a different time and the fleet lay at the bottom of pearl harbour and there was no army in the western us in 1941 . there was real fear of a japanese invasion and the population of japanese americans were feared to help an invasion