Abstract The history of Japaneseimmigrants to America has not been one of "open arms". Japanese citizens were not allowed to leave Japan until the end of the isolationist policy in 1868. Those who found their way to the United States experienced racial hostility and discrimination that included federal, state, and local laws. This paper shows that the reaction of the Japanese-American has been to endure, adapt, and survive in order to develop an ethnic community and presence. Through it all, they have managed to maintain strong family values, as well as religious and other elements of their original culture, within the paradigm of assimilation and acculturation.
From the Paper "The history of the Japanese American in the United States has taught the majority culture a great deal about perseverance through adversity. The level of discrimination and assumed values that led to stereotyping was endured until the American people were able to "see" the inherent value of the addition of this particular culture into the "melting pot" that is the American social objective. Many of the Japanese Americans have taken the social value of education and translated that into a career in teaching, which has strengthened that particular value for all students and added to the American concept of education."
Abstract This paper explores immigration and new life in America for Japanese American women during the earliest years of Japaneseimmigration. Issues studied are the family, and attitudes of and effects on the women.
Abstract This paper examines the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II by comparing this action with the freedom experienced by German-Americans during the same period. The author questions the inherent racism of Americans that enabled such an occurrence to be legally sanctioned, while German-Americans lived their lives freely, although Hitler and Germany were also enemies of America during World War II. The paper then presents a detailed background of the Japaneseimmigrant experience in America, contrasting this with the American ideal of freedom and the reality of racism. The experiences of African and Native-Americans are also considered. The paper then describes the actual Japanese internment, which was unprecedented event in American history. The paper further states how the Internment still has an effect on the psyche of the Japanese-American population today. The author concludes that the internment of Japanese-Americans during the Second World War was one of the great tragedies of American history.
Outline:
Introduction
Background: The Japanese Experience in America
Prejudice Unleashed: The Internment Experience
Conclusion
From the Paper " Naturally, the situation was worse the further removed from the Anglo-Saxon ideal a group might chance to be. After the Civil War, the newly reunited nation demanded a huge supply of cheap labor to build its rapidly expanding railroad network. In the West, this labor was provided, to a large extent, by settlers from Japan and China. Labor Contractors, generally Japanese or Chinese themselves actively recruited these workers and brought them to America. They helped to lay the foundations of America's industrial prosperity. White American racial attitudes combined with a nationwide railroad strike in 1877 to create the necessary conditions for a crackdown on Asian immigration. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was soon followed by other, stricter acts, in 1892, 1902, and 1904. And as White America saw little, if any difference, between Japanese and any other Asians, the anti-Chinese immigration laws were followed by a Japanese Exclusion Act in 1907. By 1924, the United States had imposed an almost total ban on all immigration from East Asia, ..."
Tags:Japanese-Americans, internment, World, War, II, immigrant, experiences
Abstract This paper explores the end of the Meiji period in Japan and the beginning of the country's modern period (1867-1912), which ultimately led to Japanese seeking their fortunes in the West, especially the United States. It traces the history of these immigrants, their impact on the economy, and the pitfalls they encountered in the form of racism and discriminatory laws. This anti-Japanese feeling reached its peak in 1941 with the Japanese invasion on Pearl Harbour and the internment of all Japanese-Americans on the West Coast of the United States. The paper also looks at how the American government has since awarded reparations to those interned and how descendants of Japaneseimmigrants fare today in American society.
From the Paper "While many Japanese back in Japan initially waxed enthusiastic about the United States and its culture, the feeling in America was hardly mutual. As was typical of majority White America's relations with Non-Whites, Japanese immigrants were scorned, and their culture denigrated. First, the United States had passed the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882. This was followed by restrictive measures against the Japanese. As Californians and other West Coast White Americans clamored to stop the flow of Japanese to their region, the American Government relied on a rather ingenious and disingenuous clause in its commercial treaty with Japan to staunch the flow of Japanese Labor by refusing to issue permits for their travel to the Mainland. The Japanese, along with the Chinese, were called the ?Yellow Peril,? their competition for American jobs and resources keeping these jobs and resources from "real" Americans."
Tags: Yellow, Peril, Hawaii, sugar, plantations, Franklin
Abstract Both the United States and Canadian World War II era leadership participated in the internment of Japaneseimmigrants and Japanese Americans in an effort to ensure national security. This paper reviews the historical events surrounding the Japanese internment camps of World War II. The paper also examines how Americans learned from their mistakes after this incident.
From the Paper "Daily life in these camps was not as difficult or harsh as the work camps of Europe, however the overall happiness, prosperity, and functionality of these Japanese Americans was compromised. These people were forced to live in intimidating circumstances, behind barbed wire fences and surrounded by armed guards (Satsuki, 15). A significant percentage of those interned died from simple illnesses and injury due to inadequate or nonexistent medical care. Internees were shot for allegedly disobeying orders or trying to run away. The conditions were so unpleasant that President Roosevelt himself referred to these locations as "concentration camps" (Gallavan, and Roberts). These camps are filled with overzealous American military personnel who encouraged riots and incited unrest within the facilities."
From the Paper "This research examines the Japanese American segment of the population of the United States. The findings of this research are presented in three separate topical discussions. The immigration history of the Japanese to the United States is examined in the first discussion, while the demography of Japanese Americans are examined in the second discussion, and contributions by Japanese Americans to American society are reviewed in the third discussion.
Japanese Immigration to the United States
There is no record of Japanese immigration to the United States prior to..."
Abstract This paper presents a detailed examination of the history and migration of the Japanese to Hawaii. The writer explores the migration beginning with the history and then offering an explanation of the migration as it pertained to the Japanese and how it affected those who migrated as well as those who were residents of Hawaii at the time.
From the Paper "One can trace the history of various migrations to the United States to see that it has not always been an open armed proposition. There have been many national immigrants to the states and while they came with high hopes of beginning new lives they were often greeted and treated as outsiders who were not welcome. One of the most interesting migrations in United States history was the Japanese migration to Hawaii. It showcased the many difficulties that the migrations to the states encountered. "
Abstract This paper examines prejudice attitudes towards Japaneses Canadians and Americans. It claims that they often report experiencing estrangement and 'identity denial' by their fellow citizens. The paper draws upon history and literature to illustrate this phenomenon. It discusses the Japanese internment in the US during WWII, Sapna Cheryan and Benoit Monin's article "Where are You Really From? - Asian Americans and Identity Denial", and Joy Kogawa's novel "Obasan".
From the Paper "Prejudice may still exist in Canada concerning people of Japanese descent, along with occasional prejudice faced by all newer communities, as may be part of the human process of resettlement, as in Irish immigrants or yore to face considerable ostracism as did members of some Eastern European communities. Early arrivals from China certainly faced ostracism and in central Canada report that they no longer feel a 'visible' minority, the community having developed over time its place in the mainstream, distinction remaining between persons of Chinese origin long established in Canada or those seen as recent arrivals. The point made is that some differentiation or exclusion may be part of the way of the world, more than overt racism, significant only if it produces direct abuse as opposed to exclusion. Then again Kogawa refers to a British Columbia where anti-Japanese and just anti-East Asian racism does seem to have been in place. World War II and the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour had pitched feeling against a visible and concentrated community that was not well known to others and suspected of pro-Japanese sympathies. The day was one of racialist thought too, distinct from racism, and lingering belief in a 'yellow peril' resulting from unregulated Asian immigration. Films, hearsay and ordinary ignorance encouraged a generalizing of Asian peoples as though all engaged in secret society activities, in a Fu Manchu motif carried from people of one origin to another."
Abstract The paper relates that the internment of Japanese-Americans was a horrific experience and one of the darkest moments in American history. The paper then provides a chronology of the events affecting Japanese-Americans following the attacks on Pearl Harbor.
From the Paper "Internment of Japanese Americans was a horrific experience, and one of the darkest moments in American history in that the immigrant commitment to America was ignored, as was the birthright of the children of immigrants who were born U.S. citizens, and interned anyway. So, too, was it disgraceful that the service of Japanese Americans who served in the United States military during World War II went virtually unmentioned for decades following World War II."
Abstract This paper focuses on two chapters from Brett De Bary's translation of 'Origins of Modern Japanese Literature' by Karatani Kojin. This paper introduces a distinctively Japanese regard for landscape in relation to literature, and discusses what Kojin referred to as the 'discovery of Interiority'. The paper reviews these chapters as they are a helpful introduction to other trends in modern Japanese literature before the rise of militarism.The rise in militarism heralded the War in the Pacific that brought the destruction of the Japanese'modern' order as it is known.
From the Paper "Foreign influence of the later 19th century inspired reflection on Japanese literature hitherto shaped by Confucian/Chinese literary culture. Several reformers appeared, esp. Soseki of early 20th century to inspire a strongly Japanese expression; focus on landscape as background for human activity, and conveying of human psychology. Expression then delayed by rise of Japanese militarism in 1920s and 1930s; much of what we understand, now, did not surface strongly till after 1949. Mainly course material references."
Abstract This paper explores Asian immigration to the United States during the 1970s. It describes the impact Asian immigration had on America since that time, the different Asian groups who arrived and the social and political reasons for their voyage to America. The author writes that Asian immigration to the U.S. began over a century ago, in 1830 Chinese immigrants entered New York, since then Asian immigrants have become one of largest foreign-born groups in America. The paper introduces a Taiwanese immigrant, Wu Hsiung Chu and presents the details of his life in Taiwan and his immigration to the United States of America.
From the Paper "Asian people were excluded from entering the United States, until the Immigration Act of 1965. This act allowed immigration from countries such as China, India, Korea, and the Philippines to grow. In addition to the immigration Act of 1965 another law in 1975 created a program of resettlement for refugees fleeing Cambodia and Vietnam. A year later, the program was extended to include Laotians. (People Is Plural)
Vietnamese immigration was slow until 1970 when it began building rapidly through the fall of Saigon in 1975. After that it increase with thousands of Vietnamese were admitted under refugee provisions created in an effort to save a half million South Vietnamese who fled Vietnam in tiny boats. During the highest point of Vietnamese immigration in the mid to late 70s, an average of 120,000 entered Vietnamese people came to the country each year. The Vietnamese American population is the most geographically concentrated among Asian groups. The largest waves of refugees were handled through Camp Pendleton located in Oceanside, California, and most of these Vietnamese immigrants settled in the Westminster area of nearby Orange County. (Parsing Asian America) "
Tags: united, states, usa, 1970, immigration, act, 1965, china, india, korea, philippines, taiwan, asia, social, political, voyage, immigrants
Abstract This paper discusses how three Japanese poems reflect the values of traditional Japanese culture. The poems under consideration are: "Crafty Fox," "Yellow Earth," and "My Poetry."
From the Paper "No account of Japanese art whether visual or textual can be complete without reference to the highly traditional and highly honored value system of historic Japan. Contemporary values of Japan can be traced as far back as the..."
Abstract This paper discusses Americans playing for Japanese leagues, and Japanese playing for American leagues. Through the years there has been a great deal of cultural tension, yet, through baseball these tensions are beginning to change. The paper shows that Japanese players in the American baseball leagues are making a significant cultural impact. Americans playing in Japan are affecting the culture as well.
From the Paper "Research indicates that in 1934 Babe Ruth led a group of professional American players to tour Japan. During that visit the Japanese were so impressed by the players, and the game, that they began to form their own leagues within a few years. Following the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Japanese baseball was not considered seriously by professional athletes. Furthermore, there were no suggestions that Americans play for Japanese teams. Yet, as time progressed, and tensions eased between the two countries, some American players began to consider that the Japanese leagues might be where they belonged in the sport. It was also true that American managers decided to take a chance at working in the realm of Japanese baseball. And, as the world has begun to change, Japanese players have been enticed to attempt to play in the American baseball leagues."
Abstract The paper discusses Impressionism, Japanese woodblock prints and how Impressionism was affected by the Japanese. The paper explains how Impressionism began as a rebellion by four students who were tired of the conventional art strategies. The paper relates that many art critics believed the artists were crazy with their designs, but today these paintings are considered art. The paper explains that different artists and Japanese prints and artists have made Impressionism become a recognized art.
From the Paper "Impressionism Begins as a Rebellion. Four art friends rebel against contemporary art to create an artist style called Impressionism. Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, Alfred Sisley and Frederic Brazille were friends who had attended painting classes together. The conventional art at that time was centered on history and Greek mythology with dark colors, which many young artists thought was quite boring. These four artists went into the forest of Fortainbleau and started painting outside."
Abstract This paper promotes the idea of a free immigration policy in the United States. It discusses the contributions that immigrants, of all nationalities, have made to the the growth of the United States economically and socially:
From the paper:
"The recent level of immigration that the United States of America has been experiencing is clearly beneficial to the economy. Today, and throughout the history of the nation, immigrants play key roles in society, and without them, regions of the country with the largest immigrant growth rates would suffer, as would the country as a whole. The immigrants to the United States at this time are not simply the poor and uneducated of the third world; they come from all social and economic classes."
