Description
This photograph depicts the harsh reality of the starting point of internment. Each family was assigned an identification number and loaded into cars, buses, trucks and trains, taking only what they could carry. Japanese Americans were transported under military guard to 17 temporary assembly centers located at racetracks, fairgrounds, and similar facilities in Washington, Oregon, California and Arizona. Then they were moved to one of 10 hastily-built relocation centers. By November 1942, the relocation was complete. Two-thirds of the individuals headed to the camp depicted in this image were American citizens.
Source-Dependent Questions
- How would you describe the scene in this photo? How were the individuals in the photo reacting to internment?
- Why would the government capture images like this one? What was the purpose of this document?
Citation Information
Lee, Russell, "Los Angeles, California. The evacuation of the Japanese-Americans from West Coast areas under U.S. Army war emergency order. Japanese-Americans with their baggage waiting for trains which will take them to Owens Valley," April 1942. Courtesy of Library of Congress