Have you ever wondered, which of the following best describes what World War II internees faced when they returned home? For thousands of Japanese Americans and other internees, the end of World War II did not bring a simple return to normal life. Instead, it marked the beginning of a new struggle—one defined by social rejection, economic devastation, and deep psychological scars. This article explores the complex reality that awaited internees after their release, weaving together historical facts, personal stories, and the enduring lessons of resilience and justice.
Background: World War II Internment Overview
The Policy of Internment
In the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. government, driven by fear and racial prejudice, enacted a sweeping policy of internment. Executive Order 9066, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in February 1942, authorized the forced removal and incarceration of over 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry from the West Coast. Most of these individuals were American citizens, uprooted from their homes and livelihoods without due process .
Groups Affected by Internment
While Japanese Americans were the primary targets, the policy also affected smaller numbers of German and Italian Americans, as well as Japanese Latin Americans forcibly brought to the U.S. from countries like Peru and Brazil. However, the scale and impact on Japanese Americans was unique—two-thirds were U.S. citizens (Nisei), and entire families, including infants and the elderly, were incarcerated .
Life Inside the Camps
The living conditions in internment camps were harsh and dehumanizing. Internees were housed in hastily built, uninsulated barracks, exposed to extreme temperatures and lacking privacy. Communal bathrooms and mess halls disrupted family life, while the camps themselves were surrounded by barbed wire and guarded by armed soldiers. Daily routines were strictly regimented, and opportunities for work or education were limited .
Despite these hardships, internees demonstrated remarkable resilience, forming support networks, organizing schools, and striving to maintain a sense of community .
The Release and Return Home
Timeline of Camp Closures
The process of closing the internment camps began in late 1944, following the Supreme Court’s decision in Ex parte Endo, which ruled that loyal citizens could not be detained without cause. The exclusion orders were lifted in January 1945, and by the end of that year, nine of the ten War Relocation Authority camps had closed. The last camp, Tule Lake, shut its doors in March 1946 .
The Release Process
Internees were released in phases, often with little more than a small stipend and a train ticket. Many had to complete a “loyalty questionnaire” to qualify for early release, and those deemed loyal could leave the camps to seek work or education outside the exclusion zone .
Conditions During the Journey Home
The journey home was fraught with uncertainty. Many internees returned to communities that were openly hostile, with signs reading “No Japs Wanted” and neighbors who resented their return. Others found their homes and businesses vandalized, occupied, or sold off during their absence .
What World War II Internees Faced When They Returned Home
Social Challenges
Discrimination and Hostility
Returning internees encountered widespread discrimination and hostility. Decades of anti-Asian racism had not disappeared with the end of the war. Instead, many Japanese Americans were met with suspicion, resentment, and even violence. Polls from 1942 showed that a majority of Americans supported the removal of Japanese Americans, and these attitudes persisted long after the war .
Signs of Exclusion
Communities often made their opposition clear with signs like “No Japs Wanted” posted in storefronts and neighborhoods. Internees faced verbal abuse, social isolation, and the stigma of being labeled “disloyal” or “enemy aliens.” The silence or indifference of other minority groups and civil liberties organizations during and after the war left Japanese Americans feeling isolated in their struggle for acceptance .
Social Isolation and Stigma
The psychological burden of exclusion was immense. Many internees found themselves unwelcome in their former neighborhoods, and efforts to reclaim property were met with resistance or outright refusal. The stigma of internment became a “mournful reference point” in their lives, shaping their sense of belonging and identity .
Economic Hardships
Loss of Homes, Businesses, and Property
The economic impact of internment was devastating. Internees were forced to sell or abandon their homes, businesses, and personal belongings, often at a fraction of their value. The total property loss suffered by Japanese Americans is estimated at around $400 million in 1940s dollars .
Difficulty Reclaiming or Rebuilding Livelihoods
Upon returning, many found their property occupied, vandalized, or sold. Legal and social barriers made it nearly impossible to reclaim assets. Discrimination in housing and employment further compounded their difficulties, forcing many families into poverty .
Low-Status Jobs and Economic Marginalization
With their previous jobs and businesses gone, former internees often had to accept low-status or unstable employment. The economic setback had long-term effects on wealth accumulation and social mobility, with many families struggling for decades to recover .
Government Compensation Realities
Initial government compensation was minimal. In 1948, Congress provided $38 million in reparations—a fraction of the total losses. It was not until the passage of the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 that surviving internees received a formal apology and $20,000 each in compensation .
Psychological and Emotional Impact
The Trauma of Incarceration
The psychological effects of internment were profound. Many internees experienced symptoms now recognized as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), including anxiety, depression, and emotional numbness. The trauma was both individual and collective, affecting entire families and communities .
Feelings of Shame and Disenfranchisement
Shame became a central emotional legacy of internment. Being labeled as “enemy aliens” and forcibly confined led to deep feelings of humiliation and disgrace. Many survivors internalized this shame, leading to silence and secrecy within families .
Identity Struggles
Internment disrupted the development of a positive self-identity, especially among children and adolescents. The loss of cultural continuity and the pressure to assimilate after release led to struggles with identity and belonging among younger generations .
Mental Health Issues
The psychological wounds of internment did not end with the closure of the camps. Many internees and their descendants reported ongoing mental health issues, including depression and, in some cases, suicide. The phenomenon of intergenerational trauma—where the effects of trauma are passed down to subsequent generations—has been well documented .
Cases of Support and Perseverance
Stories of Allies
Despite the overwhelming challenges, there were stories of support and kindness. Some non-Japanese neighbors risked their own safety to safeguard the property of interned families. For example, the Tsukamoto family’s neighbor saved their farm, allowing them to return to something after the war .
Regaining Farms, Jobs, and Respect
Through perseverance and hard work, many Japanese Americans managed to rebuild their lives. Some regained their farms or started new businesses, while others found success in new fields. Their ability to adapt and thrive in a changed economic landscape is a testament to their resilience .
Community Rebuilding and Cultural Resilience
Japanese American communities came together to support one another, rebuild cultural institutions, and preserve their heritage. Exhibits like “Bittersweet: Japanese American Legacy and Resilience” highlight the personal stories of families who overcame adversity and contributed to the broader American story .
Long-term Impacts on Internees and Their Families
Shaping Post-War Generations
The legacy of internment shaped the lives of post-war generations. Economic losses, disrupted family structures, and the psychological scars of incarceration influenced the opportunities and identities of children and grandchildren of internees .
Social and Political Activism
The experience of internment galvanized many Japanese Americans to become active in the fight for civil rights and reparations. Organizations like the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) led grassroots efforts to document the impacts of internment and lobby Congress for redress .
Efforts for Reparations and Formal Apologies
After decades of activism, the U.S. government passed the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which included a formal apology and $20,000 in compensation to each surviving internee. This act acknowledged that internment was based on “race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership” .
Ongoing Legacy
The redress movement inspired other marginalized groups to seek reparations for historical injustices. Descendants of internees continue to educate the public, preserve historical sites, and advocate for civil rights protections to prevent future injustices .
Key Takeaways
- Profound Hardships: The answer to “which of the following best describes what World War II internees faced when they returned home?” is complex: they encountered social rejection, economic devastation, and deep psychological scars.
- Enduring Discrimination: Internees faced widespread hostility, exclusion, and stigma upon their return.
- Economic Losses: Most lost homes, businesses, and generational wealth, with little immediate compensation.
- Psychological Trauma: The emotional impact included trauma, shame, and identity struggles, affecting multiple generations.
- Resilience and Activism: Despite adversity, many internees rebuilt their lives, supported one another, and became leaders in the fight for justice and reparations.
- Lasting Legacy: The internment experience continues to shape Japanese American identity and activism, serving as a cautionary tale about the fragility of civil liberties.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What were the main hardships World War II internees faced after release?
Internees faced discrimination, hostility, and exclusion from their communities. They lost homes, businesses, and property, and struggled to rebuild their lives amid economic hardship and psychological trauma .
Did internees receive compensation for their losses?
Initial compensation was minimal. It was not until the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 that surviving internees received a formal apology and $20,000 each in compensation .
How did communities react to internees’ return?
Many communities were openly hostile, with signs like “No Japs Wanted” and resistance to the return of Japanese Americans. Some individuals and organizations, however, offered support and helped internees rebuild .
What can we learn from the internment experience today?
The internment of Japanese Americans is a powerful reminder of the dangers of prejudice, wartime hysteria, and the erosion of civil liberties. It underscores the importance of vigilance, activism, and the ongoing fight for justice and equality .
Conclusion
The story of what World War II internees faced when they returned home is one of hardship, resilience, and the enduring quest for justice. The answer to “which of the following best describes what world war ii internees faced when they returned home?” is not a single word or phrase, but a tapestry of experiences—marked by loss, exclusion, and trauma, but also by perseverance, community, and hope. As the nation continues to grapple with questions of civil rights and historical memory, the lessons of internment remain as relevant as ever.
