Have you ever wondered, which of the following best describes what World War II internees faced when they returned home? Was it relief and welcome, or did they encounter new battles on American soil? The answer is far more complex and sobering than many realize. For the thousands of Japanese Americans and others who endured internment during World War II, the end of the war did not mark the end of hardship. Instead, it signaled the beginning of a new struggle—one marked by loss, discrimination, and the daunting task of rebuilding lives from the ashes of injustice.
This article explores the multifaceted challenges faced by World War II internees upon their return. By delving into historical records, personal testimonies, and the broader social and political context, we aim to answer the question: which of the following best describes what World War II internees faced when they returned home? The journey covers the background of internment, the immediate post-war reality, social and economic hardships, psychological impacts, legal battles, and the enduring legacy of resilience and hope.
Background: Who Were the World War II Internees?
To understand which of the following best describes what World War II internees faced when they returned home, it’s essential to first grasp who these internees were and why they were detained.
Japanese Americans and Other Groups Targeted
During World War II, the U.S. government forcibly removed and incarcerated approximately 120,000 people of Japanese descent, two-thirds of whom were American citizens. This mass internment was authorized by Executive Order 9066, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in February 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbor. The order allowed the military to exclude anyone from designated “military areas,” which, in practice, meant the entire West Coast for Japanese Americans .
While Japanese Americans were the primary targets, smaller numbers of German and Italian Americans were also interned, though their experiences were less systematic and less extensive .
Why and How Were They Detained?
The official justification for internment was national security. However, subsequent investigations revealed that the policy was driven more by racial prejudice, war hysteria, and political expediency than by any proven threat . Japanese Americans were given only days to dispose of their property and report to temporary assembly centers—often racetracks or fairgrounds—before being transferred to ten more permanent “relocation centers” in remote areas .
Life in the Camps
Conditions in the camps were harsh. Families lived in overcrowded barracks with minimal privacy, surrounded by barbed wire and guard towers. The camps were often located in desolate, inhospitable regions, and internees faced extreme weather, inadequate medical care, and limited educational and employment opportunities .
The duration of internment varied, but most internees spent two to four years in these camps, with the last camp closing in March 1946 .
Immediate Post-War Reality for Internees
When the war ended, the question loomed: which of the following best describes what World War II internees faced when they returned home? The answer begins with the immediate post-war reality.
The Release Process
The process of release began in late 1944, after the Supreme Court ruled in Ex parte Endo that loyal citizens could not be detained. The exclusion orders were rescinded in December 1944, and by the end of 1945, nine of the ten camps had closed . The War Relocation Authority (WRA) initially encouraged internees to resettle away from the West Coast, but most longed to return home .
Physical and Emotional Toll
The physical and emotional toll of internment was immense. Internees returned with their health compromised by years of poor living conditions, inadequate nutrition, and psychological stress. Many had lost family members to illness or old age in the camps, and the trauma of forced removal lingered .
Displacement and Loss
Perhaps the most immediate challenge was displacement. Many internees found their homes, farms, and businesses occupied, vandalized, or sold during their absence. In Los Angeles County, for example, only a few hundred of the prewar population of 36,000 Japanese Americans had returned a month after the ban was lifted . Temporary accommodations—hostels, hotels, and government trailers—became the first stop for many, as they struggled to find permanent housing .
Social and Community Reactions to Internees’ Return
The social climate that greeted returning internees was often hostile and unwelcoming. Which of the following best describes what World War II internees faced when they returned home? For many, it was a gauntlet of discrimination and exclusion.
Hostility and Discrimination
Japanese Americans encountered widespread prejudice from the civilian population. Signs reading “No Japs Wanted” appeared in storefronts and neighborhoods. Some communities organized petitions and public meetings to oppose their return, arguing that their presence would be disruptive or dangerous .
Incidents of Violence and Social Rejection
There were documented cases of violence, threats, and vandalism against returning internees. Homes and businesses were sometimes attacked or defaced, and some Japanese Americans were physically assaulted. Even in areas where violence did not occur, social ostracism was common. Internees were excluded from community organizations, denied service in businesses, and subjected to derogatory language and slurs .
Breakdown of Community Support
The breakdown of community support left many internees isolated. Former friends and neighbors, influenced by wartime propaganda and lingering suspicion, often turned their backs on returning families. This social rejection compounded the sense of loss and displacement .
Economic Hardships and Losses Faced by Internees
Economic hardship was a defining feature of the post-internment experience. Which of the following best describes what World War II internees faced when they returned home? For many, it was the struggle to recover from devastating financial losses.
Loss of Homes, Farms, and Businesses
Internees were forced to abandon their property with little notice. Most had to sell their homes, farms, and businesses at a fraction of their value or simply leave them behind. It is estimated that Japanese Americans lost approximately $400 million in property during their incarceration (in 1940s dollars) .
Difficulty Reclaiming Property
Upon return, many found their property had been sold, vandalized, or occupied by others. Legal and bureaucratic obstacles made it nearly impossible to reclaim assets or receive fair compensation. The Alien Land Laws and other discriminatory statutes further complicated efforts by Issei (first-generation immigrants) to reclaim property, as they were barred from land ownership in several states .
Struggles to Rebuild Livelihoods
Employment discrimination was rampant. Many employers refused to hire Japanese Americans, citing distrust or pressure from other employees and customers. As a result, many former business owners and professionals were forced into low-wage labor, such as domestic service, gardening, or garment work .
Personal Stories of Economic Hardship
- Hisaye Mary Misaki, a DMV employee, was suspended by the State of California in 1942 and only reinstated 10 years after her internment at Tule Lake, highlighting the long-term economic consequences .
- Al Tsukamoto was one of the few fortunate enough to have a neighbor, Bob Fletcher, who managed his grape farm during internment and shared the profits upon his return—a rare exception to the general trend of loss .
Psychological and Emotional Impact
The psychological and emotional scars of internment and return were deep and enduring. Which of the following best describes what World War II internees faced when they returned home? For many, it was a lifelong struggle with trauma, shame, and disenfranchisement.
Feelings of Shame and Trauma
The internment was a race-based trauma, targeting individuals solely for their Japanese heritage. This led to a deep sense of shame, stigma, and undeserved guilt among internees, who were made to feel like enemies in their own country .
Effects on Family Dynamics and Mental Health
Internment disrupted traditional family roles and communication patterns. Many families struggled to talk openly about their experiences, leading to suppressed emotions and difficulties in expressing trauma. This silence often contributed to intergenerational misunderstandings and emotional distance within families .
Studies have found that former internees had a higher risk of post-traumatic stress symptoms, including disturbing flashbacks, anxiety, and depression. The experience of internment became a “mournful reference point” in their lives, influencing their sense of self and well-being for decades .
Coping Mechanisms and Resilience
Despite these challenges, Japanese American families developed various coping strategies, including community solidarity, cultural practices, and advocacy for redress. Some individuals found healing through sharing their stories, participating in community projects, and seeking justice through legal and political channels .
Legal and Political Aftermath
The legal and political aftermath of internment was marked by decades of struggle for justice. Which of the following best describes what World War II internees faced when they returned home? For many, it was the challenge of regaining citizenship rights and seeking recognition of injustice.
Challenges in Regaining Citizenship Rights
The majority of Japanese Americans interned were U.S. citizens by birth (Nisei), while their parents (Issei) were often ineligible for naturalization due to discriminatory immigration laws. Despite their citizenship, Nisei were forcibly removed and incarcerated, raising profound constitutional questions about due process and equal protection .
Efforts for Reparations and Recognition
In the immediate post-war years, there was little political will to address the injustices of internment. Japanese American communities, facing ongoing discrimination, focused on rebuilding their lives rather than seeking redress. However, the broader civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s inspired renewed activism, leading to organized efforts for official acknowledgment and compensation .
The Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians (CWRIC), established by Congress in 1980, investigated the causes and consequences of internment. Its 1983 report, Personal Justice Denied, concluded that the internment was not justified by military necessity but was instead the result of “race prejudice, war hysteria, and a failure of political leadership.”
The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 provided a formal apology and $20,000 in reparations to each surviving internee. Over 82,000 Japanese Americans received payments and letters of apology, and the Act established an educational fund to promote public awareness of the internment .
Impact on Civil Liberties Awareness
The internment experience is now widely recognized as a grave injustice and serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of sacrificing civil liberties in the name of national security. The Supreme Court’s upholding of internment in Korematsu v. United States (1944) is now viewed as a cautionary precedent, and the experience is frequently cited in debates about civil rights during times of crisis .
Stories of Resilience and Hope
Amidst the hardship, there were remarkable stories of resilience, recovery, and community support. Which of the following best describes what World War II internees faced when they returned home? For some, it was the power of family, community, and determination to overcome adversity.
Personal Determination and Self-Reliance
Many returning internees demonstrated extraordinary resilience, relying on personal determination and self-sufficiency to overcome the loss of homes, businesses, and social standing. Family played a crucial role in the recovery process, providing both material and emotional sustenance .
Community Support and Mutual Aid
Japanese American communities and sympathetic allies organized grassroots efforts to assist returnees. Churches, community centers, and advocacy groups provided temporary housing, job referrals, and legal aid. Peer support emerged as a particularly effective form of assistance, with individuals who had experienced internment themselves offering empathy, practical advice, and hope to others .
Acts of Compassion from Allies
There were also acts of compassion from non-Japanese Americans who helped internees regain stability. For example, Bob Fletcher, who managed the farms of interned families and returned the profits to them after the war, stands as a symbol of allyship and justice .
Legacy and Lessons Learned
The Japanese American community’s collective response to internment and its aftermath is a testament to resilience. Community organizations advocated for civil rights, documented injustices, and played a pivotal role in the redress movement that led to official government apologies and reparations decades later .
Key Takeaways
- Widespread Discrimination: Returning internees faced hostility, violence, and exclusion from their former communities.
- Economic Devastation: Most lost homes, businesses, and savings, with little hope of full recovery.
- Psychological Trauma: The emotional scars of internment and return affected individuals and families for generations.
- Legal and Political Struggle: Decades of advocacy were required to secure reparations and official acknowledgment of injustice.
- Resilience and Community: Despite adversity, many internees rebuilt their lives through determination, family support, and community solidarity.
- Enduring Legacy: The internment experience remains a powerful reminder of the fragility of civil liberties and the importance of justice and remembrance.
Conclusion
So, which of the following best describes what World War II internees faced when they returned home? The answer is not a single word or phrase, but a tapestry of hardship, resilience, and the ongoing quest for justice. Internees returned to a country that had betrayed them, only to face new battles—economic ruin, social rejection, and psychological trauma. Yet, through determination, community, and the eventual recognition of injustice, they forged a legacy of resilience and hope.
Understanding this history is not just about remembering the past; it’s about ensuring that such injustices are never repeated. The story of World War II internees is a call to vigilance, empathy, and the ongoing work of building a more just and inclusive society. As we reflect on their experiences, may we honor their resilience and commit ourselves to the principles of justice and reconciliation.