Lesson 3: Prelude to Incarceration

Lesson 3: Prelude to Incarceration

Organizing Questions

In what ways do you think media images contributed to the mass removal of Japanese Americans from the West Coast?
In what ways did the Japanese American community respond to the possibility being ordered to leave their homes and be incarcerated?

Introduction

In this lesson, students analyze popular media depictions of people of Japanese descent after the U.S. entry into World War II. They also analyze Japanese American responses to the mass removal from the West Coast. It is recommended that students engage in both activities in this lesson.

Objectives

knowledge

to learn about the nature of wartime hysteria
to analyze differing Japanese American responses to the mass removal

attitude

to appreciate the diversity of the Japanese American responses to the mass removal

skill

to work effectively in small groups
to critically analyze popular media coverage and congressional testimonies

Reading: Prelude to Incarceration

Before beginning the activities in this lesson, discuss Prelude to Incarceration with the following questions:

In what ways do you think the media contributed to the order to remove Japanese Americans from the West Coast?
What were the differing visions of the Department of Justice and the military with respect to the Japanese Americans on the West Coast? How might the nature of these offices account for the differences?
In what ways did the Japanese American community respond to the mass removal? Why do you think Japanese American opponents of the mass removal were ineffective in their efforts?
What do you think were the merits and/or demerits of cooperating with federal authorities?
What do you think were the merits and/or demerits of resisting federal authorities?

Activities

Activity 3-1: Perspectives Through Popular Media

Students examine articles and cartoons that present diverse reactions to the incarceration debate.

Activity 3-2: Japanese American Perspectives Through Congressional Testimonies

Students examine two Japanese Americans' testimonies given before a congressional committee.