Japanese Internment Camps free essay sample

The Canadian government prides itself on upholding human rights, has its history truly reflected this image? Throughout the years 1939-1945, Canadian Interment Camps Affected Canadas history negatively. During this time period, Japanese Canadians were showed racism, put into internment camps, and had to deal with terrible living conditions. After the attack of the Japanese on Pearl Harbor, the Canadian government sent the Japanese Canadians to Internment Camps where they would no longer be seen as a threat. Firstly, the Japanese had to deal with great racism from Canadians. Being racist to the Japanese became relatively okay in Canada. It was not considered bad attitude to be racist while the Canadian government themselves were performing racist acts towards the Japanese. Canadians felt that their actions were justified because they may have felt threatened by the Japanese Canadians; Racist and xenophobic public sentiment felt that Japanese born Canadians showed too much sympathy for Japan. (Internment of The Japanese during world war II, web) Not only did the Japanese have to face a few comments here and there, this racism kept getting worse and worse. There rights were then taken away. They were not able to vote, and their forestry and fishing permits were denied. This shows that the Japanese were targeted just because of their race, although it was not their actions personally that made them receive these actions. Secondly, the government sent the Japanese Canadians to Internment Camps, taking their idea of Japanese citizens being threats to a whole new level; 22,000 Japanese Canadians (14,000 of whom were born in Canada) were interned in the 1940s for political Joining these camps, they could only bring along with them their most important possessions thinking they will still have their other things waiting at home for when they return. The Canadian government promised the Japanese Canadians that their property and finances would be returned upon release, however, these assets were sold off cheaply at auctions. (Japanese Canadian Internment, Web) They were being violated and robbed of their whole lives. This shows how unfair Canada was to them; our government wasnt upholding their rights as humans. Lastly, not only were they in these camps  away from their homes, they had to deal with the camps extremely terrible conditions. When they arrived at their camps, they were placed in stables and barnyards. As you may imagine how unsanitary it must have been, to live in a place designed for animals. There was absolutely no privacy and barely any food or water to go around. Children had to be raised up like animals. (â€Å"The internment Camps of Japanese conditions during World War II, Web) This shows our government were treating them as if they werent even humans. In conclusion, the facts stated above show that human rights were affected negatively in 1939-1945. Women’s Rights Although the Canadian government prides itself on upholding human rights, has its history truly reflected this image? Throughout the years 1939-1945, Womens rights were changed affirmatively. During these years, women became pilots, more women started to work than ever before, and Canadian women served in the Armed Forces for the first time ever. Firstly, women started to train to become pilots so that they could help out during the war. In 1941, at the beginning of the war, they were to join the Canadian Womens Auxiliary Air force where the would be cooks, telephone operators, fabric workers, hospital assistants, etc. They were not to fly any planes until 1942 where they were given more jobs and called the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) womens division. They became photographers, airframe maintenance, engine mechanics, teachers of wireless operators, and some even flew out equipment overseas for the Canadians in Europe fighting the war. Over 17,000 women joined the Royal Canadian Air force, Web) Because there were so many women making a physical contribution in the war they became more appreciated. This shows that women are starting to be more respected in Canada. Secondly, there were so many opened jobs and needed workers when the men went off to war. Many women started working just about any jobs, and there were very few unemployed people. Only about 600,00 Canadian women held permanent jobs when the war started. During the war, their numbers went up to 2,200,000. (Roll Up Your Sleeves For Victory! , Web) This shows how significantly the economy recovered with many workers, and many jobs. While the demand of war supplies goes up, so does the demand of manufacturing them. The War industry rapidly expands opening more and more jobs, leaving barely any unemployed women. This shows how needed women were during world war II, and how women were now accepted to work any jobs. Lastly, Canadian women served in the Armed Forced for the first time. More than 50,00 women served in the Armed Forces during the second world war. (Comrades in Arms, Web) Many Canadian women wanted to play a role in the war so they joined the Army, Air force, and the Naval service. thousands of women were also nurses at the front line. This shows that women have received the same opportunities as men in the war, granting them equality which they have always craved. In conclusion, the facts above show that Womens rights had changed affirmatively in 1939-1945.