Summary
During World War II, the American government interned a majority of Japanese-Americans and very few German-Americans. While the internment of Japanese Americans is a well-known event, the reasons for this were complex and deeply rooted in cultural, social, and political tensions.
Ethnic Enclaves
One reason why the Japanese-American population was targeted could be due to the existence of ethnic enclaves. Since the Japanese immigrants were often confined to specific neighborhoods, it made it easier for the government to identify and locate them (Portnoy, 2013). They were viewed as a homogenous group, and their separation from the rest of American society made them stand out. The lack of integration into American culture meant they were seen as less American and therefore a potential security threat (Portnoy, 2013). In contrast, German immigrants had been in the US for a long time, and they had already established themselves within American society and were not concentrated in specific areas.
Phenotype
Japanese Americans were also more easily identifiable by their phenotype, which starkly contrasted with that of the average American. This made it easier for the government to single out Japanese-Americans and intern them (O’Reilly, 2023).
Melting Pot v. Assimilation Theories
The differences between the melting pot and the theories of assimilation also played a role in the internment of Japanese Americans. The United States was built on the melting pot model, where immigrants were expected to assimilate and contribute to American culture. Japanese-Americans, however, were primarily viewed as unassimilable, and this made it easier for the government to target them.
Settlement Patterns
The settlement patterns of Japanese-Americans were also a factor, as they tended to settle on the West Coast, which was closer to the war zone. This meant that the government could more easily keep an eye on the Japanese Americans, making them an easier target.
Time Period of Immigration
Finally, the period of immigration to the US also contributed to the disparity in treatment between Japanese and German Americans. Japanese immigration was relatively recent compared to other ethnic groups. The government used this as an opportunity to question their loyalty to America and viewed the Japanese Americans as less American than their counterparts (O’Reilly, 2023). German-Americans had been in the US for several generations, reducing the perceived threat to their loyalty to the US.
References
O’Reilly, K. (2023). Enemies among us: The relocation, internment, and repatriation of German, Italian, and Japanese Americans during the second World War. Journal of American History, 109(4), 942–943. Web.
Portnoy, D., Portnoy, B., & Riggs, C. (2013). Immigrant struggles, immigrant gifts. George Mason University.