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List of Japanese-American internment camps facts for kids

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During World War II, the United States had different types of camps for Japanese people and Japanese-Americans. These camps were set up after the attack on Pearl Harbor, when the government worried about national security. Many innocent people were forced to leave their homes and live in these camps.

There were three main kinds of camps:

  • Civilian Assembly Centers were temporary places. People were sent here first after being removed from their communities.
  • Relocation Centers were more permanent camps. Most people from the assembly centers were moved to these. They are often called internment camps or incarceration centers today.
  • Detention Camps held people who the government thought might cause trouble or were of special interest.

Temporary Assembly Centers

These were the first stops for many Japanese Americans. They were often set up quickly in places like fairgrounds or racetracks. People lived in temporary housing, sometimes even in horse stables.

Permanent Relocation Centers

These were the larger, more long-term camps where Japanese Americans were forced to live for most of World War II. They were built in remote areas. Life in these camps was very difficult, with harsh conditions and limited freedom.

Heart Mountain Relocation Center, Heart Mountain, Wyoming. Residents of Japanese ancestry, at the H . . . - NARA - 539235
People at the Heart Mountain Relocation Center, January 10, 1943
Sacaton-Japanese Relocation Camp Ruins-5
What's left of buildings at the Gila River War Relocation Center
Tule Lake Relocation Center, Newell, California. Harvesting spinach. - NARA - 538316
Harvesting spinach at Tule Lake Relocation Center, September 8, 1942
Ansel Adams Manzanar - Nursery, orphan infants - LC-DIG-ppprs-00170
A nurse caring for four orphaned babies at the Manzanar Children's Village
Ansel Adams Manzanar - Children's Village - LC-DIG-ppprs-00362
Harry Matsumoto, the superintendent of Manzanar Children's Village, with some orphaned children

Justice Department Detention Camps

These camps were run by the U.S. Department of Justice. They held people who the government thought were a risk. This included not only Japanese Americans but also some German Americans and Italian Americans.

Citizen Isolation Centers

These special centers were for people who were considered "problem inmates" within the larger relocation camps. They were sent here if they caused trouble or were seen as disobedient.

Federal Prisons for Detainees

Some people were sent to federal prisons. This usually happened if they were found guilty of crimes, such as refusing to join the military when called upon (draft resistance).

U.S. Army Facilities

The U.S. Army also ran some camps. Like the Justice Department camps, these often held German and Italian detainees in addition to Japanese Americans.

Immigration and Naturalization Service Facilities

These places were run by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). They were used to hold about 5,500 men who were arrested right after the attack on Pearl Harbor. They also held thousands of German and Italian detainees. These facilities often served as places where people were processed before being sent to Justice Department or Army camps.

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List of Japanese-American internment camps Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.