Explain The Implications Of War Measures Act Had On The Japanese Canadians (Essay Sample)

The Relocation of Japanese Canadians Was An
Issue of Racism and Environmental Factors
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Introduction
The immigration of the first generation of Japanese to Canada was seen a major issue of racism and inequality. The first generation of immigrants from Japan consisted of farmers, fishermen or small business holders who chose to settle in British Columbia. They confronted discriminations which were basically expressed through public opinions but it was never the government who opposed the immigration. During the Second World War, the public opinion was taken into account by the government too. During this time, it was decided that the Japanese Canadians must be replaced from their property and accommodated in a distant place. The trauma, pathos and emotional pain of those victims were something that could not be compared with any incident. The analysis of the trauma and pain of the Japanese Canadians reveals if the inhuman behavior shown towards them during Second World War is only an issue of racism.
Analysis
The removal of the Japanese Canadians was taken as a measure towards the safety of nationality as near about 22,000 Japanese were expelled from their property (Japanese Canadian Internment, n.d.). The property were confiscated and sold at cheaper price. The immigrants had to leave their home, shop and business and were forced to live in an inhuman condition. The analysis of the issue can be studied on different grounds such as racism, politics and war-time situation.
Racism Contributed towards Relocation. The Japanese Canadians were treated as inferior and they were lowly paid than their Canadian competitors. They were treated as low in capability and knowledge which was not a fact. They were treated as spy and sabotage. The hatred, inequality and lower wages are significant in determining that discrimination existed in that period in Canada. They were not treated with justice. The situation aggravated during the Second World War. Public opinion which was biased with discrimination received much importance.
Political Stance was a Factor of Relocation. It could be analyzed as a political stance towards Japan also. As Japan was participating in the war, the fear of spying was raised. The dual citizenship of the Japanese Canadians was a threat in the war. It implied that they could fight for their own country. Though that was not perfect visualization as many of the Japanese were investing on the winning Bonds. Ian Mackenzie on the basis of public opinion pushed the Canadian government to take action against these Japanese Canadians. Mackenzie being blatant anti-Asian was more interested in the removal of the Japanese Canadians (Sunahara, 2000). This step towards the Japanese Canadians was supported by many legal enactments produced under War Measures Act (Ross & Sugiman, n.d.).
War-Time situation was a factor of Relocation. The war-situation to a great extent was responsible for this inhuman act. On 14 January, 1942 the Cabinet passed the decision of uprooting the Japanese Canadians from their homelands. They took the decision for national security only. They were prohibited from fishing during the war time only. The national security was in danger which made the cabinet take the decision. Shortwave radios were not allowed to all Japanese aliens. The military power over enemy aliens in Canada was intended for the Japanese Canadians only. This was all done on the ground of national security. This new power application was not intended to be used against German and Italian aliens. Another intention hidden in the confiscation was to use the Japanese-male in the military camps (Sunahara, 2000).
The Period of Internment
Internment of these victims was brutal and severe. Japanese Canadians were ordered to take a single suitcase to the new holding areas. Women and children were forced to live into the livestock building. The family members were separated. The male members and boys more than thirteen years of age were sent for road works. The diet for the wo...