Great Round-up

Great Round-up. The Great Round-up was a significant and controversial mass detention operation conducted by the United States government during a period of heightened national security concerns. It primarily targeted individuals of Japanese ancestry living on the West Coast of the United States, leading to their forced removal and incarceration. The operation was authorized under Executive Order 9066, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and executed by the Western Defense Command under Lieutenant General John L. DeWitt. This event remains a pivotal case study in the tension between civil liberties and national security in American history.

Historical context

The operation was precipitated directly by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, which triggered widespread fear of invasion and sabotage along the Pacific coastline. This fear was fueled by longstanding racial prejudice and economic competition, particularly in states like California and Washington. Influential figures, including Earl Warren, then Attorney General of California, advocated for drastic action, while media outlets like the Los Angeles Times stoked public anxiety. The government’s decision was also shaped by a controversial report by DeWitt that falsely claimed widespread disloyalty among the Issei and Nisei populations, ignoring contrary assessments from agencies like the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover.

Events and participants

The round-up commenced in the spring of 1942, with the posting of Civilian Exclusion Orders across designated military zones. Families were given short notice to dispose of their property and report to assembly centers, often located at fairgrounds like the Santa Anita Park or facilities such as the Pomona Assembly Center. They were then transported to more permanent, hastily constructed War Relocation Authority (WRA) camps in remote, inhospitable areas, including Manzanar in California, Heart Mountain in Wyoming, and Tule Lake in Northern California. Key administrators included Milton S. Eisenhower, the first director of the WRA, and Dillon S. Myer, his successor. The incarcerated population, totaling over 120,000, included notable figures like future senator Daniel Inouye and artist Isamu Noguchi.

Aftermath and consequences

The incarceration lasted for most of World War II, with the last camps closing in 1946. Upon release, individuals faced significant hardship, including homelessness, lost livelihoods, and continued social hostility. The legal legacy was complex; the Supreme Court of the United States upheld the constitutionality of the exclusion in ''Korematsu v. United States'', a decision centered on Fred Korematsu, while simultaneously ruling in ''Ex parte Endo'', concerning Mitsuye Endo, that loyal citizens could not be detained. Decades later, the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians, established by President Jimmy Carter, concluded the policy was a "grave injustice" fueled by "race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership."

Legacy and commemoration

The movement for redress gained momentum through the efforts of activists and organizations like the Japanese American Citizens League and legislators such as Norman Mineta and Spark Matsunaga. This culminated in the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, signed by President Ronald Reagan, which issued a formal apology and provided reparations to survivors. Historical sites like the Manzanar National Historic Site, administered by the National Park Service, serve as memorials and educational centers. The precedent of Korematsu was formally repudiated in a 2018 Supreme Court ruling, Trump v. Hawaii, though the Court noted the abrogation was not based on the decision’s reasoning.

In popular culture

The experience has been explored across various artistic mediums, fostering public understanding. Notable literary works include Farewell to Manzanar by Jeanne Wakatsuki Houston and James D. Houston, and the novels of Julie Otsuka such as When the Emperor Was Divine. In film, the documentary Children of the Camps and the dramatic feature Snow Falling on Cedars, based on the novel by David Guterson, depict the era. The PBS series The War, produced by Ken Burns, also dedicates significant attention to the event, while the musical Allegiance, starring George Takei, brought the story to the Broadway stage.

Category:20th century in the United States Category:History of civil rights in the United States Category:World War II home front