Prejudice and hate during the turbulence of World War II culminated in injustices being enacted upon Japanese Americans for over 3 years. From 1942 to 1946, 8,500 Japanese Americans suffered incarceration in internment camps in Southeast Arkansas for no other reason but for American anger and fear of the Japanese. Though their lives had been uprooted and their freedom had been taken from them, these communities kept hope alive and survived to tell an inspiring narrative. The Japanese American experience within the WWII internment camps represents an integral moment in the history of Arkansas, therefore we have compiled relevant resources here that can contribute meaningfully to history classrooms. 

Resource Highlights:

Rising Above | Rohwer Reconstructed
For over three years (1942-1946), 8,500 Japanese Americans were incarcerated in a camp in Southeast Arkansas. Though the camp has since disappeared, the Rohwer Reconstructed Project preserves its memory by creating an immersive digital environment. The Rohwer Reconstructed Project preserves this history with a digital archive, interactive timeline, thematic maps, and a 3D reconstruction of the camp's barracks, providing a valuable resource for learning about this chapter of World War II.

Densho | Digital Repository of Japanese American InternmentDensho | Digital Repository of Japanese American Internment
Densho is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the testimonies of Japanese Americans unjustly incarcerated during World War II. The site offers a wealth of teaching resources, including oral histories, a map of detention centers, and primary source materials. These resources help explore topics such as democracy, civil rights, and wartime hysteria, making Densho a valuable tool for understanding this pivotal chapter in American history.

National Archives | Japanese American Incarceration During WWII
This page connects to DocsTeach, providing primary resources on Japanese internment during World War II. It includes documents that explore the impact of the order and its historical context, such as President Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066--the order that led to the internment of Japanese Americans in relocation centers, postings of Exclusion Orders, and pictures of Japanese-American families.

As we expand our digital presence in 2021, we will be continually adding resources to this guide and others in our AAPI Histories of the South collection.