Mini-Lesson
Current Event
Bearing Witness to Japanese American Incarceration
Use these activities and resources on Japanese American incarceration during World War II to introduce students to this history while exploring questions about American identity, racism, and citizenship.
Subject
- History
- Social Studies
Grade
6–12Language
English — USPublished
Overview
About This Mini-Lesson
March 21, 1942, marks the date that Congress passed Public Law 503. This legislation authorized the federal courts to enforce President Roosevelt’s Executive Order 9066, which sanctioned the forced removal and incarceration of Japanese Americans on the West Coast in incarceration camps.
The following mini-lesson probes some of the complex issues arising from the history of Japanese incarceration during World War II. While not comprehensive, these resources and activities enable students to explore difficult questions about national identity, institutional racism, and the boundaries of US citizenship.
Activities
Activities
Materials and Downloads
Resources from Other Organizations
These are the resources from external sources that we recommend using with students throughout the activities in this mini-lesson.
1943 Loyalty Questionnaire
Central Washington University
Loyalty Questionnaire Overview
A More Perfect Union
Vivid Memories of Tule Lake Internment Camp
New York Times
Additional Resources
Resources from Other Organizations
The resources below provide additional guidance for addressing this topic in the classroom.
No No Boy Project
No No Boy
The Orange Story
The Orange Story
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