Upload
sfld
View
222
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
1/84
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
2/84
PURPOSE OF THE TEACHERS GUIDE .
SUMMARY OF THE VIDEO DOCUMENTARY PROGRAM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
TIMELINE 1768 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
CHAPTER I ITALIAN MIGRATION AND ASSIMILATION
Lesson. The Decision to Leave Italy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7. .Interview.Analysis.Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Lesson. Responses to the New Immigrants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9-10Lesson. Searching or the Italian American Experience .. 11. .Your.Heritage.Scrapbook.. 12. ..Suggested.Websites . 13
CHAPTER II WWII CHANGES IN ATTITUDES, SOLDIERS, INTERNMENT, AND POWs
Lesson............ Identi cation Card Policy or National Security . 14-15. .Uncovering.the.Myths.o .Italian.American.Relocation.. 16-25.. .Overview.o .Internment,.Relocation.and.Exclusion. 26-27Lesson. Celebration o the Italian American Soldier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-29.. .Medal.o .Honor.Worksheet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30Lesson. Comparing Italian, German and Japanese Exclusion and Internment Experiences . 31-32.. .Comparison.Chart. 33Lesson. Italian Prisoners o War (POWs) in U. S. Camps During WWII . 34-35
.Newspaper.Articles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36-38.. .Italian.Prisoners.o .War.in.the.United.States:.1943..45 . 39-46.. .Extra.Notes . 47-48. .Partial.List.o .Italian.Prisoner.o .War.Camps.Located.in.the.United.States. 49
CHAPTER III RECOGNITION AND REMEMBRANCE
Lesson. Limitation o Rights During Wartime; Can This Happen Again? . 50-51. .SimulationLesson. Recognition and an Apology or War Time Treatment o Italian Americans . 52-53Lesson. Remembrance . 54-5. .Excerpts. Uncivil Liberties: Italian Americans Under Siege During World War II 56-79
CLOSING THOUGHT . 8
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Table of ContentsTable of Contents
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
3/84
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY GUIDE
The.overall.purpose.o .the. Prisoners Among Us .Study.Guide.is.to.bring.students.a..part.o .American.history.that.has.been.given.little.or.no.attention .This.need.was..voiced. rom.teachers.and.audiences.who.had.viewed.the.documentary .One.viewer.stated..that.she.wished.she.could.put.the.documentary.in.every.school .How.can.we.change.or..not.repeat.what.we.do.not.know?
Built.in.three.chapters,.the.guide.begins.by.covering.the.Italian.migration.and..assimilation.into.American.culture .The.second.chapter.contains. our.key.elements:.1)..How.American.and.Italian-American.attitudes.were.changed.by.World.War.II,.2).An..assessment.o .Italian-American.soldiers,.3).The.little.known.story.o .the.internment.o ..Italian-Americans,.and.4).The.Italian.prisoners.o .war.held.in.this.country .The.third..chapter.concludes.with.recognition.and.remembrances.o .the.issues.previously.covered,..bringing.these.lessons.into.a.comparative.light.with.current.issues
In.order.to. acilitate.the.use.o .the.documentary.a.study.guide.has.been.created .This..study.guide.was.designed.on.the.premise.that.students.have,.or.will.be.viewing.the..documentary. lm.in.preparation. or.these.lessons .The.total.length.o .the. lm.is.88..minutes.and.while.it.can.be.viewed.in.its.entirety,.it.can.also.be.shown.in.two.45.-.minute.screenings
The.guide.is.directed.toward.high.school.and.middle.school.students .We.hope.these..materials.will.enhance.and. ul ll.parts.o .your.American.History.experience .I .there.are..comments.or.experiences.you.would.like.to.relate.to.us,.please.contact.us.through.the..web.site.www prisonersamongus com
Prisoners Among Us weaves a ray of hope through another sinister period in ourhistory. A must-have teaching tool.
Catherine Hillriegel, Sullivan West Central School District, Lake Huntington,NY
Prisoners Among Us weaves a ray of hope through another sinister period in ourhistory. A must-have teaching tool.
Catherine Hillriegel, Sullivan West Central School District, Lake Huntington,NY
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
4/84
Prisoners Among Us: Italian American Identity and WWII Summary
Prisoners Among Us .chronicles.the.assimilation.o .Italians.into.American.culture. rom.early.19th.century.immigration.through.World.War.II .In.particular,.the. lm.sheds.light.on.our.countrys.enemy.alien.policies.at.the.start.o .that.confict.and.the.impact.o .these.legislative.acts.upon.unwitting. amilies .Personal.and.collective.experiences. rom.this.period.have.had.a.pro ound.a ect.on.Italian-American.identity .
The.outbreak.o .world.confict.in.Europe.changed.an.already.tenuous.landscape.and.new.loyalties.placed.a.strain.on.natural. amily.ties .Italys.government.joined.Hitler.as.an.Axis.power.and.Italians,.eager.to.become.Americans,.were. aced.with.a.dilemma .They..encountered.paranoia.that.ran.the.gamut. rom.street-side.prejudice.to. ormal.declarations.o .war.upon.non-citizen.Italians .This.sentiment.reached.a.crescendo.when.President.Roosevelt.signed.into.law.in.December.o .1941,.Proclamation.No .2527,.which.branded.the.600,000.non-naturalized.Italians.as.potential.enemy.aliens,.stripping.them.o .their.right.to.privacy .
The. lms. rank.examination.o .the.infuence.this.had.on.Italian.American.assimilation.provides.an.historical.context. or.how.these.people.survived.adversity.and.continued.to.thrive.--.strong.in.their.sense.o .identity.and.pride.as.Italian.Americans .Through..interviews,.historical.detail,.photographs,.archival. ootage,.music,.literature,.and..historical.analysis.the.spirit.o .a.proud.people.who.ultimately.emerge.victorious.is..revealed
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
5/84
1768....Over.100.Italians.landed.on.the.east.coast.o .Florida,.the.present.day.Daytona.and.New.............Smyrna.beaches ..The.Italians.were.part.o .an.extensive.colonization.project,.which. ailed.............due.to.their.inhumane.treatment
1779....Two.regiments,.recruited.mainly.in.Italy,.arrived.to. ght. or.the.American.cause:.the..3rd.................Piemont.(473.men).and.the.30th.Du.Perche.(1064.men)
1804...Italian.warships.sailed.to.the.shores.o .Tripoli.and. ought.with.Americans.against.the..................Barbary.pirates
1852...Constantion.Brumidi,.at.age.47,.arrived.in.America.and.labored. or.25.years.where.his............ rescoes.in.the.Capitol.Rotunda.cover.5,000.square. eet
1861...The.Garibaldi.Guard,.o cially.known.as.the.39th.New.York.In antry,.consisted.o .830.. .men,.including.some.50.Italians,. ought.with.distinction.in.the.Union.Army.in.numerous... battles. rom.the. rst.Bull.Run.to.Appomattox
1865...General.Luigi.Palma.di.Cesnola,.Civil.War.hero.who.was.awarded.the.Medal.o .Honor,..............was.appointed.by.President.Abraham.Lincoln.as.Ambassador.to.Cyprus
1815-1871....The.Risorgimento.or.Uni cation.o .Italy.was.the.process.by.which.the.modern.......................country.o .Italy.was. orged. rom.a.collection.o .individual.Italian.States.linked.only.........................by.geography .Throughout.that.period.the.question.o .Italy.dominated.European.
......................politics:.with.personalities.such.as.Cavour,.Victor.Emmanuel.and,.o .course,.......................Garibaldi.becoming.household.names
1880-1924. Nearly.10%.o .the.Italian.population.moved.to.America.due.to......................economic.and.social.conditions.in.the.deteriorated.Italy .About.............................................................70%.o .these..immigrants.came. rom.Mezziogiorno,.the.area......................south.o .Rome.where.disease.and. amine.were.running.rampant
1891....Eleven.Italians. ound.innocent.in.a.New.Orleans.court.were.dragged. rom.their.cells.............and.brutally.massacred.by.a.mob,.making.it.the.worst.lynching.in.U S .history
1920...May.5:...Nicola.Sacco.and.Bartomoleo.Vanzetti.were.arrested ..Sacco.and.Vanzetti.were...........................charged.with.robbery.and.the.murders.o .a. actory.guard.and.paymaster.in.South............................Braintree,.Massachusetts
1921....Immigration.restriction.law.set.an.annual.quota.according.to.nationality
1922...October:....Benito.Mussolini.and.the.Fascist.party.take.over.power.in...............................Italy.until.1943
Timeline 1768 - 2000
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
6/84
1924....The.Immigration.Restriction.League.was. ormed.in.Boston.in.1894.by.Robert.DeCourcey.............Ward .He.spent.the.next.three.decades.working. or.immigration.restriction .The.Act.that.............lead.to.the.40.-.year.Great.Pause.in.immigration.was.passed.in.1924 .
1927...August.22:...Sacco.and.Vanzetti.were.both.convicted.and.despite.widespread.protests,.were..................................eventually.electrocuted.in.1928 ..Riots.and. ghting.broke.out.worldwide..................................with.twenty.people.dying.in.one.Paris.street. ght
1940....Roosevelts.Dagger.in.the.Back.speech.condemned.Mussolinis..........................................declaration.o .war.on.France
1941....An.unmistakable.shi t.occurred .The.vast.majority.o .Italians.who.took.up.residence.on.............American.soil.rallied.enthusiastically.in.support.o .their.adopted.country
1941...December.7:...Previously.identi ed.aliens.who.were.believed.to.pose...................................a.threat.were.taken.into.custody.by.the.FB I . or.Internment.......... . . ..The.most. amous.internment.camps.were.Ft .Missoula,.
...................................Ft .Lincoln,.Crystal.City,.and.Ellis.Island.which.held....................................thousands.o .Italians,.Japanese,.and.Germans
1941...December.8:....U S .enters.WWII.a ter.the.bombing.at.Pearl.Harbor.by.the.Japanese....................................During.the.war.years,.nearly.ten.percent.o .Americans.in.uni orm.were.o .........................................Italian.descent ..When.the.losses.were.ultimately.tallied,.o .all.ethnic....................................groups,.Italian.Americans.su ered.the.greatest.number.o .casualties
1941....December.8:....Franklin.Roosevelt.signed.Proclamation.2527,.essentially.designating... . . ....600,000.non-naturalized.Italians.as.enemy.aliens .It.was.en orceable,..
. . . ....based.on.the.one.hundred.and. ty.year.old.law,.The.Alien.Enemy... . . ....Act.o .1798 ..
1942.....Rosie.Bonavita.became.the.symbol. or.newly.3.million.American.women.working.in.............. actories.and.shipyards.during.World.War.II ..She.was.better.known.as.Rosie.the..............Riveter.and.espouses.the.slogan,.Do.the.job.he.le t.behind
1942....FBI.entered.homes.o .Italian.Americans.looking. or.and.con scating.............radios,.transmitters.and.cameras ..This.was.part.o .a.program.to.............produce. ear.and.anxiety.among.Italians. rom.coast-to-coast
1942...February.15.&.24:....Relocation.orders. or.voluntary.relocation.were.issued ..This.was................................................initially.an.exclusion.program. or.all.enemy.aliens
1942...February.19:....President.Roosevelt.signed.into.law.Executive.Order.9066,.authorizing.......................................the.Secretary.o .War.to.designate.military.areas.within.our.shores .As.a.......................................result,.on.the.West.coast,.thousands.o .Italians.were. orcibly.relocated........................................across.arbitrary.lines.o .demarcation
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
7/84
1942...March.12:....Opera.singer.Ezio.Pinza.was.taken.into.custody.by.the.F B I .Characteristic..................................o .these.cases,.the.Department.o .Justice.did.not.disclose.the.charges .Pinza..................................was.transported.by.boat.to.an.internment. acility.on.Ellis.Island.and.was..................................imprisoned. or.three.months.be ore.a.second.hearing. nally.gained.his...................................release
1942..May:....Exclusion.became.an.individual.program. or........................Italians.and.Germans
1942..July:....The.United.States.realized.that.there.was.never.a.threat.o .enemy.invasion. rom.the........................Paci c .Those.Italians.who.had.relocated.were.allowed.to.return.to.their.homes
1942..October.12:...President.Roosevelt.announced.that.Italians.would.no.longer.be.classi ed.as..................................Enemy.Aliens
1944....Atomic.physicist,.Enrico.Fermi,.who.became.an.American.citizen.in.1944,.was.at.the.............University.o .Chicago ..His.contributions.toward.the.invention.o .the.atom.bomb.saved.............over.a.million.casualties.to.American. orces.alone,.stated.Secretary.o .War,.Henry.L .............Stimson
1951....Lawyer.Michael.Angelo.Musmanno.is.elected.to.the.Pennsylvania.Supreme.Court ..The.............appointment.crowned.a.distinguished.legal.career,.which.saw.Musmanno.de ending.Sacco.............and.Vanzetti.in.1927.and.later.presiding.at.the.Nuremberg.Trials
1971....Columbus.Day.becomes.a. ederal.public.holiday.as.declared.by.the.U S .Congress .
1976...February.19:....President.Gerald.Ford.o cially.rescinded.Executive.Order.9066.a ter......................................thirty- our.years
1999...November:....Former.Congressional.Representative. or.the.State.o .. . . . ....................... . . New.York,.Rick.Lazio,.and.Congressional.Representative.................................. or.the.State.o .New.York,.Eliot.L .Engel,.co-sponsored..................................HR.2422 ..Its.intent.was.to. nally.detail.the.injustices..................................Italian.Americans.su ered.during.World.War.II,.ultimately... . . encouraging.a. ormal.acknowledgement.by.the.President
2000...November.7:....President.Clinton.signed.the.Wartimes.Violation.o .Italian.American.Civil......................................Liberties.Act
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
8/84
. Students.will.work.in.groups.o .three .They.will.each.be.given.a.map,.atlas,.interview.and..worksheet .They.will.then.do.the. ollowing:
1 . Groups.list.reasons.that.would.make.them.move. rom.their.homes.today.and.where... they.would.go ..2 . Students.read.the.interviews.and.answer.the.questions. rom.the.analysis.worksheet .They.... should.have.a.consensus. or.each.answer ..3 . Using.their.outline.maps,.students.will.locate.and.draw.the.places.where.the.interviewed.. .. came. rom.and.where.they.settled.in.America ..4 . Students.then.discuss.their. ndings.with.the.whole.class ..During.the.discussion.each... group.should.make.note.on.their.outline.maps.where.people.came. rom.in.interviews.read... by.other.student.groups5 . The.teacher.will.make.a.chart.on.the.board.listing.push-.pull. actors ..6 . Students.will.determine.what.reasons.why.people.le t.Italy.based.on.their. ndings.and... recognize.i .the. actors.are.political,.social.or.economic ..
1 . Recognize.the.political,.economic,.and.social.conditions.o .Italy.a ter.18712 . Interpret.primary.sources. rom.individuals.experiences.coming.to.America3 . Distinguish.the.push/pull. actors.that.helped.to.make.the.di cult.decision.to.leave.Italy4 . Understand.the.emotional.hardship.that.could.a ect.the.whole. amily
. Outline.map.o .Italy.and.America. Interviews. rom.individuals.who.emigrated. rom.Italy. ...http://www italiamerica org/id20 htm. Document.analysis.worksheet. Atlas.o .Italy.and.America. ...http://www lib utexas edu/maps/historical/italy_world_atlas_1882 jpg. ...http://www graphicmaps com/webimage/countrys/namerica/.usstates/bwnames htm
T he D ecision To L eave i TaLy
Objectives:
Materials:
Procedure:
Italian Migration and AssimilationItalian Migration and Assimilation
http://www.italiamerica.org/id20.htmhttp://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/italy_world_atlas_1882.jpghttp://www.graphicmaps.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/usstaes/bwnames.htmhttp://www.graphicmaps.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/usstaes/bwnames.htmhttp://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/italy_world_atlas_1882.jpghttp://www.italiamerica.org/id20.htm7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
9/84
. Have.students.create.a.collage.o .images,.symbols,.words.that.would... represent.the.push/.pull. actors.that.the.Italians. aced ..
. Have.students.research.and.chart.emigration.in.Italy. rom.the.1700-1920s... and.create.a.map.and.chart.that.illustrates.the.data
Possible Assessments:
Extension:
7 . The.teacher.will.ensure.that.students.determine.reasons.that.attracted.Italians.to.America .... (Make.sure.to.mention.the.advertising. or.labor.by.the.steamship.agents.and.industry.in... America.along.with.other. amily.members )8 . The.class.will.discuss.their.answers.and.the.teacher.should.ask.them.why.it.would.be.a... di cult.decision.to.make ..9 . The.students.will.then.compare.their.own.reasons. or.moving.with.the.Italians,.and.go... over.their. ndings.in.their.groups
. Students.write.a.letter.to.a. amily.member.back.in.Italy.explaining.their.decision.to.leave.Italy... and.come.to.America .. Students.interview.a. amily.member.or. riend.to. nd.out.where.they.came. rom.and.create.a... scrapbook.o . amily.interviews
When I found that the only way I could prevent my family from starving was to turnto stealing, I decided it was time to leave.
La Storia, Jerre Mangione & Ben Morreale
When I found that the only way I could prevent my family from starving was to turnto stealing, I decided it was time to leave.
La Storia, Jerre Mangione & Ben Morreale
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
10/84
1 ..Name.o .person.in.interview
2 .Where.did.he/she.come. rom?..What.was.it.like.in.his/her.town?
3 ..What.does.the.person.tell.you.about.his/her.culture,.values,.social.class.and.customs?
4 .How.old.was.the.person.when.he/she.le t.Italy?..How.does.age.make.a.di erence.in.his/her.experiences?
5 ..What.was.the.journey.like.coming.to.America?
6 .Why.do.you.think.this.person.le t.Italy?
7 .Why.did.this.person.want.to.come.to.America?
The Decision to Leave Italy Interview Analysis Worksheet
The Decision to Leave Italy Interview Analysis Worksheet
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
11/84
. Ask.students.to.think.about.a.stereotype .What.does.this.mean.to.them?.Make.a.list.on.the.board.o .where.we. nd.stereotypes .Is.there.a.di erence.or.a.connection.between.stereotypes.and.prejudice?.Go.over.their.responses .Next,.have.the.students.work.in.pairs .First.handout.the.political.cartoons.o .Italian.Americans .Students.should.answer.the. ollowing.questions:.How.does.the.cartoon.depict.Italian..Americans?.What.types.o .emotions.does.the.picture.evoke?.How.would.the.readers.o .the.times.respond.to.these.pictures?.As.a.class,.go.over.the.responses .Discuss.why.people.would.respond.nega-tively.to.the.new.immigrants .Make.sure.the.students.cover.the.social,.political,.and.economical. actors .Then.have.student.pairs.share.reading.the.news.article.on.Sacco.and.Vanzetti .Have.them.identi y.the.types.o . actors.that.led.to.the.execution .Discuss.why.some.thought.the.two.were.innocent .Have.the.students.think.o .how.the.Italians.overcame.these.attitudes. rom.the.movie
1 . Describe.the.nativists.responses.to.the.new.immigrants2 . Compare.the.stereotypes.o .Italian.Americans.to.the.real.image3 . Consider.how.the.Italian.Americans.overcame.these.obstacles
4 . Identi y.the.social,.economic,.and.political.impacts.o .these.responses
. Political.cartoons.displaying.the.stereotypical.Italian.American. News.article.on.the.Sacco.and.Vanzetti.murder.conviction. http://www nytimes com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0823 html#article
R esponses T o T he n ew i mmigRanTs
Objectives:
Materials:
Procedure:
Italian Migration and AssimilationItalian Migration and Assimilation
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0823.html#articlehttp://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/big/0823.html#article7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
12/84
. Have.students.research.incidents.against.the.Italian.Americans.during.the.turn.o .the... century ..Have.them.present.their. ndings.to.the.class .. Have.them.research.the.evolution.o .19 th.century.racism.and.how.it.a ected.the.new... immigrants.at.the.turn.o .the.century
Possible Assessments:
Extension:
. Create.a.perspective.poster.o .Living.in.America .On.one.side.have.the.responses.o .the.Italian... Americans.to.the.nativists .On.the.other.side,.have.the.nativists.responses.to.the.Italian.Americans .. Have.students.write.about.barriers.they.have.had.to.overcome.in.their.lives.and.how.they... responded.to.them
To the ordinary American, the Italian is a dirty, undersized individual who engages indegrading labor shunned by Americans, and who is often a member of the Mafia, and
as such, likely at any moment to draw a knife and stab you in the back.
Southern Atlantic Quarterly , July 1905
To the ordinary American, the Italian is a dirty, undersized individual who engages indegrading labor shunned by Americans, and who is often a member of the Mafia, and
as such, likely at any moment to draw a knife and stab you in the back.
Southern Atlantic Quarterly , July 1905
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
13/84
. Ask.students.to.think.about.what.makes.them.who.they.are ..Have.them.come.up.with.ways.
in.which.they.identi y.people ..Have.them.distinguish.between.personality,.roles,.and.their.cultural.identity .A ter.going.over.their.responses,.ask.them.to.think.about.why.our.past.is.so.important ..Point.out.to.them.that.their.values,.traditions,.and.customs.come. rom.past.generations ..I .the.students.can.understand.the.struggles.o .the.past,.it.can.help.to.have.them.understand.themselves ... Next.handout.the.instruction.sheet. or.the.Multimedia.Scrapbook ..Go.over.the.directions ..Have.students.search.the.internet.to.create.their.scrapbook ..They.will.compile.a.powerpoint.scrap-book ..At.the.end.o .the.activity,.the.students.will.share.their.work.with.the.class ..Ask.the.students.again.what.makes.them.who.they.are ..Compare.the. rst.responses.to.their.new.responses
1 . Research.in ormation.through.the.internet. or.the.multimedia.scrapbook2 . Develop.a.multimedia.scrapbook.o .the.Italian.American.Experience3 . Appreciate.the.experiences.the.new.immigrants. aced.in.America4 . Understand.the.value.o .ones.heritage
. Computer.lab.with.internet.accessibility. Scrapbook.Activity.instructions..
Searching for the Italian American Experience
Objectives:
Materials:
Procedure:
. Have.students.make.presentations.o .their.scrapbooks.to.the.class. Have.students.make.a.webpage. or.the.Italian.American.Experience ..
. Have.students.continue.their.research.to. nd.their.own.cultural.identity. Students.would.research.the.immigration.patterns.within.their.own.community
Possible Assessments:
Extension:
Italian Migration and AssimilationItalian Migration and Assimilation
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
14/84
INTRODUCTION:
. How.do.you.identi y.yoursel ?..Do.you.look.at.your.personality.or.do.you..describe.your.characteristics?..Do.you.identi y.yoursel .with.your.cultural.identity?..All..these.characteristics.make.up.the.unique.you ..Your.heritage.is.about.the..past,.the.story,.and.the.struggle.o .your.ancestors ..It.is.what.gives.you.your.values,..customs,.and.traditions ..This.is.what.makes.the.Italian.American.Experience ..
INSTRUCTIONS:..... Your.job.is.to.search. or.the.Italian.American.Experience ..You.will.create.a..scrapbook.o .their.cultural.past ..Use.the.websites.below.to.help.in.your.journey ..Sur ..through.the.internet.to. nd.pictures,.text,.maps,. acts,.quotes,.or.controversies.that..capture.your.journey ..You.will.capture.the.text.and.images.that.you. nd.important.and..then.you.will.put.them.together.in.a.power.point.scrapbook ..Make.it.personal;.it.is.your..story.that.is.being.passed.down.to.the.next.generation ..Be.prepared.to.share.why.you..chose.what.you.did.and.what.it.means.to.you .Your.scrapbook.will.include.the. ollowing..categories:
1 .Your.story.o .why.you.le t.Italy2 .Your.journey.to.America3 .Living.in.America ..Where.did.you.live.and.what.was.your.job?4 .Your.customs.and.traditions.in.America .What.did.you.do.in.America?5 .The.obstacles.you. aced.in.America6 .What.makes.you.an.Italian.American?......
Your Heritage Scrapbook
The Search For The Italian American Experience
Your Heritage Scrapbook
The Search For The Italian American Experience
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
15/84
SUGGESTED.WEBSITES:
The.American.Immigrant.Home.Page:http://www bergen org/AAST/Projects/Immigration/
Ethnic.America:http://www digitalhistory uh edu/historyonline/ethnic_am c m
Immigration.History.Research.Center:http://www ihrc umn edu/index htm
Immigration:.The.living.Mosaic:http://library thinkquest org/20619/index html
American.Memory.Collection:http://memory loc gov/learn/ eatures/immig/introduction html
Causes. or.Italian.Emigration:http://library thinkquest org/26786/en/articles/view php3?arKey=4&paKey=7&loKey=0 .&evKey=&toKey=25&torKey=0&tolKey=3
Order.Sons.o .Italy.in.America:http://www osia org/public/culture/culture_intro asp
Sicilian.culture:http://www sicilianculture com/news/iaexperience htm
South.Italy.Immigrantshttp://www italiamerica org/id49 htm
http://www.bergen.org/AAST/Projects/Immigration/http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/historyonline/ethnic_am.cfmhttp://ihrc.umn.edu/index.htmhttp://library.thinkquest.org/20619/index.htmlhttp://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/immig/introduction.htmlhttp://library.thinkquest.org/26786/en/articles/view.php3http://library.thinkquest.org/26786/en/articles/view.php3http://www.osia.org/public/culture_intro.asphttp://www.sicilianculture.com/news/iaexperience.htmhttp://www.italiamerica.org/id49.htmhttp://www.italiamerica.org/id49.htmhttp://www.sicilianculture.com/news/iaexperience.htmhttp://www.osia.org/public/culture_intro.asphttp://library.thinkquest.org/26786/en/articles/view.php3http://memory.loc.gov/learn/features/immig/introduction.htmlhttp://library.thinkquest.org/20619/index.htmlhttp://ihrc.umn.edu/index.htmhttp://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/historyonline/ethnic_am.cfmhttp://www.bergen.org/AAST/Projects/Immigration/7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
16/84
. . .. In orm.the.class.that.America.has.just.declared.war.on.Italy,.Germany.and.Japan .Read..
Executive.Order.9066.out.loud .Hand.out.the.identi cation.books.and.have.the.class.complete.them .They.are.to.create.an.Italian.American.person ..Take.pictures.and. ngerprint.them.to.make.the.book.look.o cial ..Have.each.student.register.with.the.teacher.(administrator) ..Each.book.should.be.exam-ined.and.notes.should.be.taken. or.each.student ..Randomly.identi y.some.students.as.enemy.aliens,.some.as.non-citizens,.and.some.as.citizens ..Do.not.answer.any.questions.that.the.students.have.but.rather.have.the.students.report.to.their.assigned.groups.throughout.the.room ..Those.who.are.desig-nated.citizens.keep.their.cards,.but.take.away.something.that.could.be.seen.as.a.threat.to.the.classroom.like.their.books ..Those.who.are.the.non-citizens.are.restricted.to.one.side.o .the.classroom ..They.are.not.allowed.to.cross.a.restricted.line.because.there.are.sensitive.classroom.documents.on.that.side.o .the.classroom.that.they.may.try.to.steal .Finally,.those.who.are.enemy.aliens.are.sent.to.the.internment.camp.at.the.back.o .the.classroom .They.will.always.have.their.backs.to.the.rest.o .the.classroom .... It.is.the.responsibility.o .the.teacher.(administrator).to.maintain.a.sense.o .security.in.the..classroom.by.identi ying.those.who.would.be.a.threat.to.the.nation.and.the.school .The.threat.o .spies.and.sabotage.could.hurt.the.U S ..There ore.anyone.who.is.Italian.American.could.be.a.threat.to..national.security ..Each.group.should.decide.what.makes.them.an.enemy?..How.could.they.be.a.threat.to.national.security?.What.could.you.do.and.not.do.under.this.classi cation?..How.did.you. eel.when.you.were.identi ed?...Go.over.their.responses ..Discuss.the.treatment.o .Italian.Americans.during.World.War.II ...Why.would.the.U S .think.that.they.would.be.a.threat.to.national.security?..What.was.the.socio-economic.impact.o .Italian.Americans.because.o .this?...
1 . Distinguish.the.various.categories.by.which.the.U S .treated.the.Italian.Americans2 . Understand.how.the.Italian.Americans. elt.during.World.War.II3 . Evaluate.the.procedure.to.determine.who.is.an.enemy.o .the.state.
. Executive.Order.9066.. Identi cation.Books..
Identification Card Policy for NationalSecurity
Objectives:
Materials:
Procedure:
WWII Changes In At t itudes, Soldiers,Internment, and POWs
WWII Changes In At ti tudes, Soldiers,Internment, and POWs
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
17/84
. Write.a.letter.to.the.newspaper.describing.how.you.were.treated.during.World.War.II. Create.a.Poster.identi ying.the.experience.o .the.Italian.American.during.World.War.II.
. Research.other.countries.that.have.used.identi cation.cards.to.control.people.( or... example,.South.A rica) ... Compare.the.treatment.o .Italian.Americans.to.Arab.Americans.a ter.September.11
Possible Assessments:
Extension:
I recall receiving an Americanization Award from the american legion post at waltonelementary school. It was given to us if we did not speak italian and if we put
aside italian culture. I did not have the heart to tell my father the meaning of thisaward so I told him that I got it for good grades in school.
Resident, Akron, OH.
I recall receiving an Americanization Award from the american legion post at waltonelementary school. It was given to us if we did not speak italian and if we put
aside italian culture. I did not have the heart to tell my father the meaning of thisaward so I told him that I got it for good grades in school.
Resident, Akron, OH.
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
18/84
Major.myth:.Italians.and.Germans.were.never.a ected
For.organizational.purposes.I.have.divided.this.paper.into. ve.parts,.but.keep.in.mind.that.events.were..happening.simultaneously
. I . Policy.initiatives
. II . Public.pressure.rises
. III . Tolan.Committees.infuence
. IV. Executive.Order.9066
. V. Policy.reversal
I.-.Policy.Initiatives
In.late.January.1942,.a ter. nearly.a. month.o .contentious.negotiations.between.the.Justice. and.War.
Departments,. the. government. decided. to. relocate. all. enemy. aliensItalians,. Germans,. and.
Japanese. ourteen.years.o .age.and.olderaway. rom.strategic.areas.on.the.West.Coast ....The.most.persistent.advocate.o .this.sweeping.policy.was.the.War.Departments.man-on-the-scene.in.
San.Francisco,.Lieutenant.General.John.L .DeWitt .DeWitt.may.have.been.a.reluctant.recruit.to.the.notion.
.o .relocating.the.Japanese,.as.earlier.historians.and.others.have.shown,.but.he.consistently.led.the.way.in.
pushing. or.the.relocation.o .Italians.and.Germans,.commencing.in.mid-December.1941 .
...The.well.being.o .the.enemy.alien.population.took.an.initial.ominous.direction.when,.less.than.two.
weeks.a ter.Pearl.Harbor,.General.DeWitt.gave.in.to.panic,.apparently.because.o .some.scare.stories.about.
the.activities.o .Japanese.on.the.West.Coast .He. recommended.to.the.War.Departmentthe. rst.o .many.
such.occasionsthat. all .enemy.aliens,.regardless.o .nationality,.be.removed.to.the.interior
. . .From.late.December.to. early.January,. the.War.and.Justice.Departments.were. locked.in. a.behind-the-.
scenes.struggle. or.control.over.the.aliens .Both.the.FBI.and.the.War.Department.wanted.Justice.to.take.
tougher.measures .DeWitt,.in. act,.had.been.asked.to.recommend.that.the.War.Department.assume.con-
trol .Major.Karl.R .Bendetsen,.at.that.moment.a.uni ormed.lawyer.in.the.judge.advocate.generals.o ce,.
Stephen Fox Ph.D.
Uncovering The Myths of ItalianAmerican Relocation
Uncovering The Myths of ItalianAmerican Relocation
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
19/84
suggested. to.DeWitt. that. unless. the. attorney.general. agreed.immediately. to. a. program. o .enemy. alien.
restrictions. en orced.by.the. FBI. at.its.discretion,. the. general. should. get. President. Roosevelt. to. trans er.
authority. rom.the.attorney.general.to.the.secretary.o .war .DeWitt.needed.little.more.encouragement .The.
next.day.he.proposed.that.the.FBI.be.given.blanket.authority.to.go.a ter.the.aliens,.who.he.accused.o .
disloyalty:.We.cant. ool.around,.he.warned ...
This. pressure,. combined. with. the. deteriorating. military. situation. in. the. Paci c,. eroded. the. will. o .
top.Justice.Department.o cials.to.resist.the.armys.demands .A ter.a.series.o .civil.but. rank.meetings,.
representatives.o .the.two.departments.agreed.on.January.6.to.an.alien.relocation.policy.(minus.the.details).
that. avored.a.military.solution
II..Public.Pressure
Ironically,. just.a ter.the. attack.on. Pearl.Harbor,.when. the. United. States. was. most.vulnerable,.there.
was. little. public.pressure.to. lock. up.enemy.aliens .Not. until.the.hastily. convened.Roberts.Commission.
(named. or.Supreme.Court.Justice.Owen.J .Roberts).released.its.report.nearly.two.months.laterimplying.
that.Japanese.Americans.on.Oahu.had.aided.Japans.air.assaultdid.the.pressure.to.do.something.about.
Axis.aliens.on.the.mainland.commence.in.earnest .And. rom.the.start,.nearly.everyone.who.had.an.opinion.
on.the.subject.o .alien.restrictions.wanted.the.Italian.and.German.aliens.treated.exactly.like.the.Japanese
The. political. pressure. that. drove. alien. policy. paralleled. the. bad. news. rom. the. Paci c . In. the.con usion,.desperation,.and.panic,.the.politicians.were.extended.an.unlimited.mandate.to.act .Resolutions.
rom.citizens,.city.councils,.chambers.o .commerce,.boards.o .supervisors,.Congress,.and.law.en orcement.
o cials.urging.swi t.action.were.stacked.higher.and.higher.each.day.on.the.desks.o .responsible.o cials,.
including.the.Presidents .
Two.days.a ter.the.release.o .the.Roberts.Commission.report,.Cali ornia.governor.Culbert.Olson.told.
General.DeWitt.that. ederal.action.was.imperative .I .nothing.was.done,.he.predicted,.The.people.may.
take.things.in.their.own.hands .In.Washington,.Major.Bendetsen,.now.trans erred.to.the.o ce.o .Provost.
Marshal.General.Allen.W .Gullion,.told.DeWitt.on.January.29.that.the.Cali ornia.congressional.delegation.
was.beginning.to.get.up.in.arms,.and.had.scheduled.an.in ormal.meeting.the.next.day.to. ormulate.reso-.
lutions .Bendetsen.attended.the.meeting,.where.he.expressed.DeWitts.view.that.the.army.was.willing.to.
take. control. o . the. aliens. rom. the. Justice. Department,. i . DeWitt. were. assured. that. the. army. had. the.
authority.to. orce.other.agencies.to.cooperate .
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
20/84
Bendetsen.was.right .On.January.29,.the.Justice.Department.announced.that,.on.the.recommendation.o .
the.secretary.o .war,.a ter.consultation.with.General.DeWitt,. all .enemy.aliens.would.be.required.to.vacate.
speci ed.areas.o .the.West.Coast .Subsequently,.the.Cali ornia.congressional.delegation. unanimously .ap-.
proved. a. resolution. calling. or. the. evacuation. and. internment. o . all . enemy. aliens. and. dual. citizens,.
regardless.o .whether.their.children.were.American-born .This.resolution,.which.the.delegation.sent.to.the.
War.Department,.did.not.re er.speci cally.to. the.Japanese .The.leader.o . the.group,.Rep .Clarence.F .Lea
o .Santa.Rosa,.stated.that.evacuation.would.be.only.the. rst.step;.that.ultimately. all o .the.aliens.would.be.
humanely.resettled,.initially.in.Civilian.Conservation.Corps.(CCC).camps
A.meeting.in.early.February.between.Cali ornia.Attorney.General.Earl.Warren.and.law.en orcement.
o cials. rom.across.the.state,.convened. or.the.purpose.o .using.Cali ornias.Alien.Land.Law.to.remove.
Japanese. aliens. rom. strategic. areas,. turned.into. a. secondary.debate. about. what. to.do.with. the. Italians.
and.Germans .A.minority.o .delegates.(one-eighth). elt.that.the.groups. ormal.resolution.calling. or.the.evacuation.o .Japanese.aliens.ought.to.apply.to.the.European.aliens.as.well .The.San.Diego.County.district.
attorney.suggested,.ironically,.that.the.Italians.and.Germans.posed.the.greater.danger:.You.can.always.tell.
a.Jap.when.you.see.one,.but.as. or.a.German.or.an.Italian,.they.can.get.by .They.are.the.ones.who.are.most.
di cult.o .the.three.to.detect .
The.discussion.continued .Attorney.General.Warren.and.others.argued.that.the.Alien.Land.Law.could.
not.be.applied.to.the.Italians.and.Germans.because.the.Japanese.problem.was.unique.to.Cali ornia .But.
the.district.attorney.o .Stanislaus.County.countered:.
Still,. a. resolution. avoring. only. a. Japanese. removal.went. orward. to. the. secretary. o .war,. but. with. the.
con erees.expectation.that.the. ederal.government.would.eventually. nd.a.way.to.deal.with.the.Italians.
and.Germans
Local.governments.were.among.the. rst.to. all.in.line .Seventeen.counties,.along.with.the.statewide.
County.Supervisors.Association,.urged.alien.evacuation.in. ormal.resolutions;.the.Los.Angeles.County.board.
was.the. rst.to.take.the.plunge.on.January.27 .Another.motion.be ore.the.Association.recommending.evacu-
ation.o .non-Japanese.enemy.aliens.was.de eated .Assistant.Secretary.o .War.McCloy.would.shortly.re er.to.
the.pressures.emanating. rom.local.sources.in.Cali ornia.as.drastic.and.unintelligent .
Supervisory. resolutions. rom. Placer,. Orange,. and. Yolo. counties. called. or. the. removal. o . enemy.
When we go to recommend action to the Federal Government, I think we would be very glad to say it
is the sense o this group that they ought to exclude every enemy alien, Japs and all the others rom this
area
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
21/84
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
22/84
without.delay .Washington.o cials.were.warned.on.March.3.that.opinion.in.the.major.Los.Angeles.and
San.Francisco.dailies.revealed.an.ugly.public.mood.and.the.possibility.o .mob.violence. i .the.army.
did.not.move.swi tly .The.Los.Angeles.Council.o .Cali ornia.Womens.Clubs.petitioned.General.DeWitt.to.
place.all.enemy.aliens.in.concentration.camps.immediately,.and.the.Young.Democratic.Club.o .Los.Angeles.
went.a.step. urther,.demanding.the.removal.o .American-born.Italians.and.GermansU S .citizens rom.
the.Paci c.Coast
Faced.with.congressional.demands.to.expel.all.enemy.aliens.and.their. amiliesan.action.supported.
by.State.Attorney.General.Earl.Warrenand.the.added.public.pressure,.DeWitt.concludedagainthat. all
enemy.aliens.should.be.removed. rom.the.West.Coast .The.general.trumpeted.his.new.mood:.I.do.not. eel.
that.it.is.incumbent.upon.this.country.to.be.sentimental.in.this.matter ...
As.previously.mentioned,.DeWitt.had.announced.on.January.29.that.he.was.prepared.to.take.over.the.
alien.program. rom.the.Justice.Department .Subsequently,.Secretary.o .War.Stimson.declared.that.enemy.
aliens.would.have.to.move.out.o .Category.A.prohibited.areas.in.the.western.halves.o .the.Paci c.states.
and. southern. Arizona. (primarily. water ront. locations. and. areas. surrounding. and. adjacent. to. de ense.
industries,.power.plants,.reservoirs.and.the.like).by.February.24 .There.would.be.no.exceptions .
The. ever-resource ul. Bendetsen. now. o ered. a. tactical. ploy. to. thwart. the. Justice. Departments.
constitutional.objections:.the.attorney.general.might.accept.a.policy.o .excluding.aliens.and.citizens. rom.
prohibited.and.restricted.zones,.i .such.a.program.provided. or.licensing.selected.residents.to.return.later .
That.way,. Bendetsen. calculated,. the. squeamish. civilians. in. the. Justice. Department.would.not. appear. to.discriminate. against.a.particular.class.o .people .DeWitt. mused.that.Biddle. and.his.men. were. just.try-
ing.to.cover.themselves.by.criticizing.the.army .He.boasted.that.the.job.o .removing.Italian,.German,.and.
Japanese.aliensas.well.as.Japanese.American.citizenswould.not.be.too.big.even.i .it.involved.as.many.as.
100,000.people.(a.low.estimate.as.it.turned.out) .
Although.Attorney. General. Biddle. did. not. orthrightly. con ront. the. army,. he.did. not. give.upyet .
At.a. luncheon.in.early.February,.he. solicited.the.Presidents.support .According.to.Biddle,.I.emphasized.
the. danger.o . the. hysteria moving.east. and.a ecting. the. Italian. and.German. population. in.Boston. and.
New.York .We.dont.know.how.seriously.Roosevelt.took.this.warning;.later.the.President.would.endorse.
Biddles.position.completely,.as.though.it.had.been.his.own .But.the.point.Biddle.made.was.one.that.the.po-
litically.sensitive.President.could.ill.a ord.to.ignore ..
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
23/84
III..Tolan.Committee
As.the.aliens.prepared.to.leave,.a.congressional.committee,.sympathetic.to.the.plight.o .the.European.
aliensbut.not.the.Japanesebegan.public.hearings.into.relocation.and.internment .It.issued.periodic.re-.
ports.o .its. ndings.and.recommendations,.and.met. requently.with.Stimsons.closest.associate.in.the.War.
Department,.John.McCloy .From.February.21two.days.a ter.President.Roosevelt.signed.Executive.Order.
9066through.March.12,.the.House.o .Representatives.Select.Committee.Investigating.National.De ense
Migration.staged.successive.hearings.on.the.West.Coast .The.Tolan.Committee,.so-named. or.its.chairman,.
John.H .Tolan,.hoped.to.exert.a.calming.infuence.by.publicizing.the.impact.o .the.relocation.program.on.the.
economic.and.social. abric.o .the.West.Coast ....
Like.the.law.en orcement.o cials.queried.by.Earl.Warren.and.mentioned.earlier,.Tolan.Committee.
witnesses.were.split.as.to.whether.Italian.and.German.aliens.should.be.treated.the.same.as.the.Japanese .
Most.thought.not .But.the.hearings.had. orced.a.reconsideration.o .DeWitts.plan
IV..Executive.Order.9066
The.FBI.began.to.back.away. rom.DeWitts.grandiose.scheme .The.Bureau.had.concluded.that.Italians.
and.Germans.would.be.harder.than.Japanese.to.pick.out.o .the.general.population,.increasing.the.di culty.
o .DeWitts.task .It.was.at.this.moment.that.the.delegation. rom.the.Committee.to.Aid.Italians.Loyal.to.
the.United.States.in.San.Francisco.warned.a.member.o .DeWitts.sta .that.moving.Italians.was.a. signi -cantly.greater.logistical.problem.than.relocating.the.smaller.number.o .Japanese,.and.the.group.threatened.
litigation
In.Washington,.o cials.struggled.to. nd.a.way.to.match.these.realities.in.Cali ornia,.much-infuenced.
by. the. Tolan. hearings,. with. their. own. requirements. or. national. security . Assistant. Secretary. o . War.
McCloy. tried. to. bring. DeWitt. closer. to. heel:. There. are. so. many. that. would. be. involved. in. a. mass.
withdrawal,.the.social.and.economic.disturbances.would.be.so.great.that.we.would.like.to.go.a. little.slow.
on. it. DeWitt. appeared. to. concur,. saying. that. or. the. time. being. he.would. deal. with. the. Italians. and.
Germans.as.individuals.and.concentrate.on.getting.out.all.the.Japanese .
But. documents. unavailable. to. the. Tolan. Committee. show. that. DeWitt. and. the. provost. marshal.
generals. o ce. remained. wedded. to. a. course. o . mass relocation . The. Senate. Committee. on. Military.
A airs,. looking. into. relocation. on. its. own. in.Washington,. tried,. with. little. success,. to. learn. rom. the.
provost.marshal.generals.o ce.how.many.enemy.aliens.there.were.and.how.many.the.army.wanted.to.re-
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
24/84
move .The.committee.wanted.an.estimate.o .the.nationwide.impact.since,.as.it.concluded,.based.on.the.logic.
o .what.it.was.hearing,.The.same.thing.is.going.to.have.to.be.done.on.the.East.Coast .The.PMGs.represen-
tative.replied.that.about.100,000.people.would.be.put.in.concentration.camps,.60.percent.o .them.Japanese.
and.the.remainder,.about.40,000,.divided.equally.between.the.two.European.enemy.alien.groups
In.its.preliminary. ndings.o .March.19,.the.Tolan.Committee.expressed.its. ear.about.the.size.o .such.
an.expulsion.in.unambiguous.terms .The.government,.it.pointed.out.by.way.o .analogy.to.the.Italians.and.
Germans,.had.not.removed.the.Japanese. rom.Hawaii,.despite.the.obvious.threat.to.American.security.there,.
because.the.Japanese.made.up.37.percent.o .Hawaiis.population .On.the.other.hand,.the.Japanese.were.only.
1.percent.o .the.population.o .the.Paci c.states .The.committee.concluded,..
State.authorities.took.the.hint .Now,.most.o . the.Cali ornia.congressional.delegation.did.not. avor.the.
mass.expulsion.o .Italians.and.Germans,.a.reversal.o .their.earlier,.unanimous.backing.o .DeWitt .Earl
Warren.told.the.Cali ornia.Joint.Immigration.Committee.that.it.would.be.disruptive.o .national.unity.and.
a.crime.to.expel.Italian.and.German.aliens,. or.despite.their.governments.at.home,.they.were.just.like.ev-
erybody.elsethat.is,.they.were.not.Japanese
Biddles.reluctance.to.endorse.General.DeWitts.plan.received.the.endorsement.o .a.trio.o .respected.Washington.lawyers .Backed.by.the.attorney.general,.they.issued.an.advisory.recommendationclearly.iso-
lating.the.Japanese. rom.the.other.enemy.nationalitiesthat.accurately. orecast. uture.policy:
The. War. Department. proceeded. on. this. understanding . By. February. 11,. Stimson. had. decided. to.
recommend.to.the.President.that.Italians.and.Germans.not.be.expelled. or.the.time.being .Roosevelt,.who,.
according.to.Stimson,.supported.this.idea.in.principle,.shied.away. rom.a.personal.commitment,.telling.the.
secretary.to.do.what.he.thought.best.under.the.circumstances .
Persons o Japanese descent constitute the smallest denable class upon which those with the militaryresponsibility or deense would reasonably determine to impose restrictions The Japanese problem isa special problem Similar dangers o disloyal activities by citizens o other racial stocks cannot, and,in act, need not be handled in the same way It would present an insuperable problem o administration, not to mention the consequent disruption o deense production, to bar the millions o
persons o German and Italian stock rom either seacoast area
The numbers involved [in the Japanese evacuation] are large, but they are by no means as large, or the whole country, as those who will be involved i we generalize the current treatment o the Japanese
to apply to all Axis aliens and their immediate amilies Any such proposal is out o the question i we intend to win this war
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
25/84
McCloy. in ormed. Bendetsen. that. the. President. had. de erred. to. the. secretary. o . war,. and,. in. turn,.
Bendetsen.advised.DeWitt.that.Stimson.probably.would.not.approve.a.recommendation.to.evacuate.the.entire.
coastal.strip .Stimson.then.met.with.McCloy.and.Clark.to. ormulate.a.strategy.to.derail.DeWitts.ambitious.
plans,.and.told.them.that.DeWitt.was.asking. or.too.much.i .he.expected.to.expel.120,000.people. rom.the.
West.Coast .This.is.one.o .those.jobs,.Stimson.cautioned,.that.is.so.big.that it.just.couldnt.be.done .
Army.historian.Stetson.Conn.estimates.that.DeWitts.recommendations. or.Category.A.areas,.i .accepted,.
would.have.necessitated.the.removal.o .nearly.eighty-nine.thousand.enemy.aliens,.nine-tenths.o .the.West.
Coast.Germans,.nearly.three- ourths.o .the.Italians,.but.less.than.two-thirds.o .the.Japanese ...
On. St . Valentines. Day,. DeWitt. submitted. his. nal. report. on. the. West. Coast. situation. to. the. War.
Department . He. anticipated. expulsion. o . 133,000. peopleperhaps. all. enemy. aliens rom. expanded.
Category. A. zones. (now. termed. military. areas) . Ironically,. most. o . those. residing. in. or. near. the. most.
sensitive.strategic.points.were.Italian.and.German.aliens,.not.Japanese
Thus,.the.momentum.had.swung.back.to.the.extremists .The.political.pressure. rom.the.West.Coast,.
DeWitts.buoyant.and.sweeping.recommendation,.sympathy.at.the.highest.level.o .the.War.Department. or.
removal.o .the. Japanese,.and.the. abject. surrender. o .Attorney.General.Biddle. were.power ul.persuaders.
that.le t.the.President. ew.options .Not.even.Biddles.closest.aides.realized.the.depth.o .his.capitulation .A
nal.series.o .con erences.between.the.two.departments.provided.Roosevelt.with.the.consensus.he.needed.
to.act .The.attorney. general.kept.his. counsel. and. remained.a. team.player .Despite.his. reservations,.Bid-
dle. disingenuously. told. Roosevelt. that. no. dispute. existed. between. the. Justice. and.War. Departments .Thus,. because. alien. relocation. was. not. presented. as. a. matter. o . interdepartmental. controversy,. the. War.
Departments.recommendation.never.received.a.thorough.presidential.review.
In.approving.a. dra t.o . the.executive.relocationor.exclusionorder,.9066,.Stimson.con essed.in.his.
diary:.I.have.no.illusions.as.to.the.magnitude.o .the.task.that.lies.be ore.us .Some.o cialsBiddle. or.
examplebelieved.the.order.only.a ected.the.Japanese .But.a.postwar.investigation.conducted.by.the.War.
Department.concluded.that.when.the.President.signed.the.executive.order.on.February.19,.some.o cers.be-
lieved.it.applied.to.the.Italians.and.Germans.as.well .Governor.Olson.thought.so,.and.certainly.the.Italian.and.
German.aliens.believed.that.they.might.still.be.relocated .And.they.were.not.wrong
V..Policy.Reversal
Astonishingly,.the.possibility.o .more.drastic.action.resur aced .Biddle.now.wrote.FDR.that.he. eared.
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
26/84
the. army.planned. to.evacuate.enemy.aliens. rom.the.East.Coast. as.well .Stimson,.who.saw.the.attorney.
generals.letter,.sought.to.ease.the.Presidents.mind,.calling.the.notion. oolish .There.would.be.no.mass.
evacuation. o . the. East.Coast,.Roosevelt. assured. the. shaky.Biddle . But. the. secretary. was. being. slightly.
disingenuous,. providing. he.knew.what.his.assistant. was. up.to .For. McCloy. had.written.General. Joseph.
McNarney,.chie .o .the.Army.Field.Forces,.that,.as.the.war.progressed,.it.might.be.necessary.to.remove.
Italian.and.German.aliens. rom.the.East.and.Gul .coasts .McCloy.went.so. ar.as.to.suggest.that.McNar-
ney.send.his.eastern.and.southern.de ense.commanders.to.the.West.Coast.to.study.the.evacuation.methods.
being.employed.there ..
Stimson.may.have.been.believed.that.the.problem.on.the.East.Coast.had.been.laid.to.rest,.which.it.had.
not,.but.he.still.had.to.sell.the.idea.o .a.limited.relocation.to.his.o cers.out.West .DeWitt.continued.to.oppose.
the.suggestion.that.individual.loyalty.examinations.might.be.a.way.to.sort.through.the.aliens,.and.Bendetsen.
agreed.that.there.were.a.lot.o .dangerous.Italians.and.Germans.out.on.the.coast.who.had.to.be.removed .
At. this. delicate.moment,. Lt . General. Hugh.A .Drum,. commanding.general. o . the. Eastern. De ense.
Command,.publicly.announced.his.intention.to.establish.prohibited.and.restricted.areas.covering.the.entire.
Atlantic.seaboard.and.inlandsome.sixteen.states.and. ty-two.million.people .Thus.were.the.worst. ears.
o . the. Tolan. Committee. ul lled . Stimson. assured. Tolan. that. he. shared. the. congressmans. concern .
McCloy,.too,.expressed.complete.sympathy:.I.believe.we.have.a.common.approach.to.this.problem .
Nonetheless,.he.took.the.precaution.o .meeting.again.with.a.Tolan.Committee.sta .person.on.May.7,.re-.
sulting.in.a.committee.request.that.the.President.put.out.a.revised.order.precluding.alien.relocation.in.areas.other.than.the.West.Coast
Now.it.was.the.Presidents.turn.to.underestimate.DeWitt .Although.FDR.had.resolved.the.East.Coast.
situationhe. thoughtGeneral. DeWitt. still. had. not. been. corralled . It. was. Tom. Clark. who. rekindled.
concerns. about. DeWitts. objective . He. wrote. Biddles. assistant. that,. Anyone. who. had. the. idea. that.
General. DeWitt. is. going. to. delay. the. evacuation. o . German. and. Italian. aliens. is. in. error . He. has.
consistently.said.publicly.and.otherwise.that.he.intends.to.evacuate.these.groups.as.soon.as.his.program.with.
re erence.to.the.Japanese.is.completed .
Roosevelt,. by. now. thoroughly. alarmed. by. the. repeated. warnings. rom. the. Justice. Department. and.
complaints. rom. Capitol. Hill. and.New.York,. swung. into. action . He.ordered. Stimson. to. take. no.action.
against.Italian.or.German.aliens.on.the.East.Coast.without. rst.consulting.himperiod .Alien.control,.he.
said,.except. or.the.Japanese,.was.a.civilian.matter,.and.all.this.talk.about.evacuations.was.having.a.bad.
e ect.on.morale .
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
27/84
But.the.inde atigable.DeWitt.pressed.on,.threatening.in.early.May.to.put.six.to.ten.thousand.Ital-
ians.and.Germans.in.relocation.centers.in.a.manner.similar.to.that.employed.in.the.case.o .persons.o .
Japanese.ancestry .Bendetsen.warned.McCloy.that.the.general.was.serious .He.added.that.i .the.Jus-
tice.Department. ailed.to.act.more.diligently,.the.War.Department.should.exert.energy.under.Executive.
Order.9066.similar.to.that.taken.in.the.evacuation.o .the.Japanese
When.the.War.Department.conducted.a.series.o .internal.con erences.on.May.15.to.prepare.Stimson.
or.a.cabinet.meeting.later.that.day,.it.had.the.Tolan.Committees.latest.report.at.hand .The.congressmen.
were.continuing.to.hammer.home.the.logic.o .their.earlier.paper:.the.size.o .the.Italian.and.German.
communitiesmore.diverse.and.ten.times.larger.than.the.Japanesepresented.problems.more.vast.
and. ar.reaching.than.the.Japanese .Emergency.measures.must.not.be.permitted.to.alter.permanently.
those. undamental.principles.upon.which.this.Nation.was.built ....
Clearly,.the.conclusions.o .the.Tolan.Committee.were.a ecting.attitudes.in.the.War.Department .
Stimson.recommended.that.the.President.order.no.mass.relocation.o .European.aliensanywhere .
Later,.the.President.should.merely.empower.commanders.on.both.coasts.to.exclude.individuals,.both.
aliens.and.citizens,.based.entirely.on.military.necessity.and.Executive.Order.9066,.and.DeWitt.was.so.
ordered .
By.late.June,.with.the.Japanese.gone,.General.DeWitt.bowed.to.the.inevitable.and.abolished.the.
six-months-old.prohibited.and.restricted.zones.(except.in.certain.sensitive.areas).in.the.Western.De ense.
Command ....On.Columbus.Day,.October.12,.1942,.Attorney.General.Biddle.announced.that.Italian.aliens.in.the.
United.States.would.no.longer.be.considered.enemies .The.discom ort.and.anxiety.o .the.aliens.and.
their. amilies.was.over .Justice.Department.o cials,.civilians. in.the.War.Department,.and.strategic.
members.o .congress. nally.realized.that.it.was.neither. easible.nor.necessary.to.remove.Italian.and.
German.aliens.en.masse .The.principal.consideration.in.taking.the.decision.was.that.relocation.would.
create.a.logistical.nightmare,.spark.economic.dislocation,.and.lower.public.morale .
Retreat.had.been.sounded;.reason.would.prevail,.at.least. or.the.European.aliens
.Stephen.Fox
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
28/84
Why.was.it.done?.Did.the.government.believe.that.moving.European.enemy.aliens.a.only.a. ew.blocks.
rom.the.water rontor.across.the.streetwould.lessen.the.danger?.Apparently .But.more. undamentally,.
o cials.simply.panicked .Following.the.Japanese.attack.at.Pearl.Harbor,.American.o cials.were.under.in-
tense.political.pressure.to.do.something.to.prevent.alien.sabotage.and.espionage .Italian.and.German.aliens.
and.their. amiliesalong.with.the.Japanesewere.viewed.as.serious.threats.to.American.security .Later.the.
military.came.very.close.to.relocating.the.Italians.on.the.East.Coast.as.well .
From.documents.the.government.is.willing.to.release,.we.know.that.on.February.15.and.24,.1942,. or.
reasons.o .military.necessity,.approximately.ten.thousand.enemy.aliens.were.prohibited.residence,.work,.
or.travel.to.restricted.zones.along.the.West.Coast .But.weeks.later,.a ter.Congress.had.begun.to.investigate.
the.e ects.o .the.relocation.order.on.the.economy.and.society,.it.dawned.on.the.War.Department.that.i .
they.relocated.and. interned.hundreds.o . thousandsperhaps.millionso .Italians.and.Germans.(logic.at.
rst.seemed.to.dictate.that.American.citizens.o .Italian.ancestry.might.be.just.as.dangerous.as. the.aliens).
it.would.overstretch.the.armys.logistics,.threaten.the.countrys.de ense.industrieswhich.employed.tens.
o .thousands.o .people.o .Italian.and.German.ancestryand.lower.civilian.morale .Particularly.hard.hit.
were.those.areas.where.Italians.dominated.the.local.economy,.such.as.the.coastal. shing.industry .(None.o .these. concerns. pertained. to. the. much. smaller. Japanese. American. populationracial. targets. or. many.
yearsand.they.were.quickly.moved.to.camps.en.masse ).
On.June.27,.1942,.the.government,.realizing.it.had.made.a.mistake,.relented.and.allowed.the.Italians.to.
return.to.their.homes.and.jobs .Finally,.on.Columbus.Day,.October.12,.1942,.the.Italians.were.removed. rom.
It was not until the early 1980s that I frst heard about the relocation o West Coast Italians duringWorld War II. A student in my class on the war asked i I knew that the government had orced them
to move out o the water ront areas o Arcata and Eureka, Cali ornia. I didnt, and I was embarrassed. A quick trip to the library proved him correct: Italian and German aliens, who the U.S. government designated as enemy aliens, had been relocated up and down the West Coast in 1942. But with theexception o the aliens and their amilies, everyone I spoke to in the next ew years was as ignorant as I
had been about the operation. Stephen.Fox
Stephen Fox Ph.D.
Overview Of Internment, Relocationand Exclusion
Overview Of Internment, Relocationand Exclusion
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
29/84
the.enemy.alien.category.altogether .
Despite. all. o . the. governments.meticulous. record-keeping,.. its. archives. are. totally. silent. about. the.
actual. experiences. o . Italian. aliens. during. the. our. to. eight. months. they. were. kept. away. rom. their.
homes.and.jobs .To.understand.that.part. o .the.story,.which.seemed.to.me. the.most. important. eature,.I.
interviewed. dozens. o . Cali ornia. people. who. had. been. relocatedor. surviving. amily. membersand.
told. their.stories. in.my.book,. The Unknown Internment (since. republished.as. Uncivil Liberties: Italian
Americans Under Siege during World War II )
For.those.with.sons.in.the.armed. orces,.those.who.were.moved,.those.whose. amily.responsibilities.
increased.as.a.result.o .the.relocation,.or.those.who.lost.property,.the.experience.was.di cult.and.has.le t.a
legacy.o .bitterness .For.others,.it.was.a.matter.o .adjusting.to.a.new.way.o .li e,.or,.in.a. ew.cases,.a.bet-
ter.li e .Most.o .the.Italians.accepted.their. ates.as.the.consequence.o .a.war.that.threatened.their.adopted.
homeland,.but.nearly.all.o .them.thought.it.was.crazy
This.story.shows.againand.it.seems.particularly.relevant. ollowing.September.11,.2001that.it.is.
possible. or. the. United. States,. proud.o . its. traditions.o .democracy,. individual. liberty,. and. air. play,. to.
come.near.to.losing.its.soul.in.a.time.o .crisis,.even.during.a.good.war .Americans,.as.they.have.in.the.
past,.will.continue.to. ace.di cult.choices.in.moments.o .crisis,.when.the.popularity.o .cracking.down.on.
enemy.aliens.dictates.policy.and.threatens.civil.liberties .
There.has.been.an.o cial.acknowledgment,.but.a.less-than- ull.accounting.o .what.happened.in.1942 .
President.Bill.Clinton.signed.the.Wartime.Violations.o .Italian.American.Civil.Liberties.Act.(PL.106-.
451).on.November.7,.2000 .The.law.gave.the.Justice.Department.a.year.to.report.on.the.governments.
internment,. exclusion,. and.other. harassment. o . Italian.Americans. during. the. war . But. the. report. is. ar.
rom.complete,.which.the.government.admits .In.addition.to.the.thousands.who.were.relocatedbut.are.
not. namedit. lists. only. ty-nine. Italian.Americans. as. either. excluded. or. arraigned. be ore. individual.
exclusion.boards .As. or.individually.interned.Italians,.the.Immigration.and.Naturalization.Service.reveals.
that.it.detained.3,278.Italian.Americans,.including.voluntary.internees.and.those.deported.to.the.United.
States. rom.Latin.America .The.Justice.Department.says.418.o .them.were.interned. or.varying.lengths.o .
time .
..Stephen.Fox
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
30/84
...Ask.the.students.to.recall.the.segment.in. Prisoners Among Us ,.o .those.who..ought.in.World.War.II ..Have.them.discuss.the.situations.these.men.were. aced.with..both.on.the.home. ront.and.on.the.line .Have.the.students.examine.the.question.that.the..army.recruiter.asked;.What.happens.i .you.had.to. ght.against.a. amily.member.while..in.Italy?.How.would.they.respond.to.that.question?..Ask.the.students.how.hard.would.it.be.to. ght. or.your.country.when.your.country.did.not.trust.your. amily?..Would.you..have.something.to.prove?.........Point.out.that.some.men.went.beyond.the.call.o .duty.to.protect.their.company ..Thus,.they.were.given.the.nations.highest.military.award,.The.Medal.o .Honor ..In. act,..thirteen,.the.largest.group.earned.during.World.War.II,.were.given.to.Italian.Americans ...
Have.the.students.read.about. our.recipients.o .the.Medal.o .Honor ..They.are.Sgt .John..Basilone,.USMC,.Sgt .Anthony.Damato,.USMC,.P c .Gino.Merli,.US.Army,.and.T/Sgt ..Peter.J .Dalessendro,.US.Army ..Have.the.students.complete.the.Medal.o .Honor..Worksheet ...Go.over.their.responses ..Have. students decide.what.is.beyond.the.call.o ..duty .Those.who. ought.in.World.War.II.should.be.recognized ..Ask.students.to.come.up..ways.to.recognize.them.in.their.community .How.do.we.continue.to.honor.those.who..ght.to.protect.our.country?
1 . Consider.the.di culty.o .the.Italian.American.solider.to.prove.his.loyalty2 . Summarize.the.citations.o . our.soldiers.to.receive.the.Medal.o .Honor
3 . Recognize.the.e orts.made.by.the.Italian.American.soldier.during.World.War.II
. http://www medalo honor com/JohnBasilone htm.............................Medal.o .Honor.Website. Medal.o .Honor.Worksheet ..
Celebration of the Italian AmericanSoldier
Objectives:
Materials:
Procedure:
WWII Changes In At titudes, Soldiers,Internment, and POWs
WWII Changes In At t itudes, Soldiers,Internment, and POWs
http://medalofhonor.com/JohnBasilone.htmhttp://medalofhonor.com/JohnBasilone.htm7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
31/84
. Have.students.visit.the. National.World.War.II.Memorial. site ..They.will.work.in... groups.to.design.a.World.War.II.memorial. or.their.school ... Write.letters.to.World.War.II.veterans.within.the.community.or.those.currently.. serving
. Research.other.Italian.Americans.who. ought.in.World.War.II.and.present.it.to... the.class .
Possible Assessments:
Extension:
Four and a half million first and second generation italians are longing for a miracle:american victory without italian defeat.
Fortune Magazine , September 1942
Four and a half million first and second generation italians are longing for a miracle:american victory without italian defeat.
Fortune Magazine , September 1942
http://www.wwiimemorial.com/http://www.wwiimemorial.com/7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
32/84
1 ..When.was.it.established.and.why?
2 .What.are.the.criteria.to.receive.the.award?
3 .Summarize.each.citation:Sgt. John Basilone
Sgt. Anthony Damato
P c. Gino Merli
T/Sgt. Peter J. Dalessendro.......................................... . . . . . . . . .
4 .Do.you.think.these.men. ought.harder?..Why.or.why.not?..
Medal Of Honor WorksheetMedal Of Honor Worksheet
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
33/84
...Create.a.concept.map.on.the.board,.with.the.words..Melting.Pot.in.the.middle ..Call.up.students..to.add.to.the.concept.map ..Some.responses.would.be.America,.immigration,.and.discrimination ..Review.these.ideas.so.that.there.is.a.class.consensus.o .the.de nitions.o .melting.pot .In.small.groups,.students.are.asked.to.discuss.whether.there.are.modern.day.examples.o .the.American..melting.pot .Discuss.how.Americans.see.these.groups.and.why .....Have.the.students.recall.the.treatment.o .Italian,.German.and.Japanese.Americans.during.World..War.II .Tell.the.students.that.they.will.determine.i .the.treatment.between.these.groups.was.the.same.or.di erent ..Using.the.Comparison.Chart.worksheet,.have.groups.determine.their.treatment.during.World.War.II ...It.is.important. or.students.to.recognize.that.Italian.and.German.immigrants.could.be.naturalized,.whereas.Japanese.immigrants.were.ineligible. or.citizenship .That.is.an.important.point.or.understanding.the.rationale.behind.mass.Japanese.internment .Many.Italians.had.become.Ameri-can.citizens,.and.only.those.not.naturalized.were.held.as.enemy.aliens .Students.refect.on.the.disruption.o .lives,.the.embarrassment.o .questioned.loyalty,.and.the.escalated.discrimination.su ered.by.the.Italian,.German,.and.Japanese-Americans.during.the.war ..As.a.class.go.over.charts,..discovering.the.di erent.and.similar.treatments.between.the.two.groups ..Recall.the.concept.map.on.the.board..Melting.Pot,.have.the.students.determine.i .the.treatment. rom.World.War.II.has.any.similarities.to.treatment.o .other.ethnic.groups.today ..
1 . Compare.the.experiences.o .Italians,.Germans.and.Japanese.Americans.during.World.War.II2 . Evaluate.the.e ectiveness.o .internment.during.a.time.o .crisis3 . Consider.the.social.implications.o .internment. elt.by.these.groups
. Comparison.Chart.Worksheet.. Chart.o .types.o .treatment.during.World.War.II.
Comparing Italian, German and JapaneseExclusion and Internment Experiences
Objectives:
Materials:
Procedure:
WWII Changes In At titudes, Soldiers,Internment, and POWs
WWII Changes In At t itudes, Soldiers,Internment, and POWs
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
34/84
. The.groups.will.per orm.a.skit.o .either.the.Japanese.or.Italian-American.treatment.during... World.War.II. Create.posters.showing.the.treatment.o .the.Italians,.Germans.and.Japanese.during.World.War.II. Compile.data.on.the.ethics.o .internment.camps ..Research.current.day.situations.and... determine.causes,.and.potential.results.by.keeping.them.in.internment.camps ..
. An.excerpt. rom.Ezio.Pinzas. Autobiography o an Italian Internee .( ound.in. Only What We ... Could Carry .Berkeley,.Cali ornia:.Heyday.Press,.2000,.page.191,.edited.by.Lawson.Fusao... Inada).is.divided.into.sections.o .three.to.ve.paragraphs .Groups.o .three.students.read.their.... sections.aloud.to.one.another,.and.respond.orally.to.their.pieces .Next,.students.individually... re-read.their.sections,.highlighting.key.words.or.phrases.that.show.impact.or.emotion .They... collect.their.highlighted.words,.and.arrange.them.into.ound.poetry,.which.they.will... illustrate,.share,.and.post.on.a.classroom.bulletin.board
Possible Assessments:
Extension:
I want to go in and search the house or residence and premises of every alien...right now... we cant fool around.
Lt. general, John L. DeWitt, Western Defense Command, San Francisco
I want to go in and search the house or residence and premises of every alien...right now... we cant fool around.
Lt. general, John L. DeWitt, Western Defense Command, San Francisco
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
35/84
C o m p a r
i n g
I t a l
i a n , G
e r m a n a n
d J a p a n e s e
E x c
l u s i o n a n
d
I n t e r n m
e n t E x p e r
i e n c e s
C o m p a r
i s o n
C h a r t
.
.
.
.
. I t a l i a n s
G e r m a n s
J a p a n e s e
C a u s e s
f o r
I n t e r n m e n t
L i m i t a t
i o n s o
f
R i g h t s
T r e a t m e n t i n
C a m p s
B r e a k
d o w n o f
w h o w a s
d e t a i n e d
E m o t i o n a l
T o l l
A m e r
i c a n
R e s p o n s e t o t h e
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
36/84
........Discuss.how.to.de ne.Prisoner.o .War ..Go.over.points.o .the. Geneva.Convention ..Ask.the..students.where.the.U S .put.POWs.during.World.War.II .Why.would.they.be.brought.to.America?...Mention.some.o .the.camps.and.their.locations .Have.the.students.think.about.motives. or.having.camps.in.the.U S ..Discuss.the.labor.shortage.in.the.U S .and.how.the.POWs.might.be.able.to. ll.those.labor.needs ...........View. our.short.newspaper.articles.on.overhead .Then.have.students.discuss.treatment.o .prisoners..o .war,.note.categories.o .housing,. ood,.etc .Next,.read.the.article.titled,.Italian.POW.Volunteers ...Discuss.these.points:.. 1 .How.did.POWs.contribute.to.the.manpower.shortage?... 2 .What.activities.were.provided. or.POWs. or.entertainment?.. 3 .How.did.POWs.react.to.their.treatment?Present.the.di erence.between.a.POW.and.the.ISU.units .Consider.the.response.o .the.surrounding..communities.to.these.camps .Split.the.class.in.hal ..Have.one.side.become.either.the.community.or.the.prisoners .Each.side.will.determine.how.they. eel.about.the.ISU.units .Make.sure.to.include.that.some.o .the.prisoners. ell.in.love.with.women.in.the.community ..Ask.the.class.to.decide.i .those.men.who.are.involved.with.a.woman.in.America.should.stay.in.America.a ter.the.war ..
1 . Summarize.the.Geneva.Convention2 . Analyze.the.treatment.o .Italian.POWs .3 . Debate.the.various.responses.to.the.treatment.o .POWs.and.ISU.units
. POW.Activity.newspaper.articles..
Italian.POW.Volunteers.newspaper.articleCamp Atterbury, Indiana
Italian Prisoners of War (POWs) In U.S. CampsDuring World War II
Objectives:
Materials:
Procedure:
WWII Changes In At titudes, Soldiers,Internment, and POWs
WWII Changes In At t itudes, Soldiers,Internment, and POWs
http://www.icrc.org/ihl.nsf/0/eb1571b00daec90ec125641e00402aa6?OpenDocumenthttp://www.indianamilitary.org/INDEX%20files/index-PWs.htmhttp://www.indianamilitary.org/INDEX%20files/index-PWs.htmhttp://www.icrc.org/ihl.nsf/0/eb1571b00daec90ec125641e00402aa6?OpenDocument7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
37/84
. Debate:..Have.students. orm.sides.and.debate.the.point.o .view.o .a.community.member... who.resents.the.coddling.o .Italians.with.extra.privileges.vs .a.person.who.sees.the... value.o .Italians.as.ISU.members.and.their.contributions.to.the.war.e ort. Suppose.you.are.an.Italian.POW.who.is.a.member.o .an.ISU.unit ..You.will.be.going... home.in.one.month ..Write.a.one-page.letter.to.your.parents.refecting.on.your.time.spent... in.the.U S
. Role.Play:.Have.one.student.be.a.newspaper.reporter.interviewing.a.detainee.and... write.an.article.about.the.interview. Scored.Discussion.comparing.the.treatment.o .detainees.in.Guantanamo.Bay.to.that... o .Italian.Prisoners.o .War .
Possible Assessments:
Extension:
Going to visit the enemy at this period of time would raise suspicion in yourNeighbors minds.
Nicholas R. Santilli, Ph.D., John Carroll University
Going to visit the enemy at this period of time would raise suspicion in yourNeighbors minds.
Nicholas R. Santilli, Ph.D., John Carroll University
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
38/84
The.manpower.shortage.at.Camp.Carsons.combined.maintenance.shops,.where.hundreds.o .vehicles.are.being.prepared. or.overseas.shipment,.was.greatly.relieved.Tuesday.with.the.arrival.o .the.10th.Italian.Ord-nance.Medium.Automotive.Maintenance.unit ..The.service.unit.includes.more.than.100.Italian.prisoners.o .war,.who.have.volunteered.their.services. or.the.American.war.e ort. Prior.to.coming.to.Carson,.the.Italians.completed.a.12.week.training.course.at.Atlanta,.Ga ,.Ordnance.depot.to.acquaint.them.with.American.vehicles.and.methods.o .repair ..They.were.selected. or.the.volunteer.service.a ter.a.thorough.screening.by.military.intelligence.to.insure.that.no.pro-Nazis.or.pro-Fascists.were.included ..Every.man.in.the.unit.has.had.extensive.mechanical.experience
The.American.o cer.in.charge.is.Capt .Thomas.G .Beebe,.New.York.City .He.will.oversee.American.administrative.personnel.consisting.o .six.non-commissioned.o cers,. our.o .whom.are.interpreters,.and. our.Italian.o cersa.captain,.two. rst.lieutenants.and.one.second.lieutenant ..The.unit.is.organized.according.to.the.regular.table.o .organization. or.an.American.Medium.Maintenance.company,.except.that.the.Italians.will.not.bear.arms.and.will.receive.no.tactical.training ..The.men.will.live.in.a.regular.barracks.area
The.Italians.in.such.service.units.wear.American.uni orms.with.plain.buttons.and.no.American.insignia ..They.wear.a.green.arm.patch.with.********.units.receive.no.more.********.other.prisoners.o .war. or.work.done ..The.only.extra.payment.members.o .the.units.receive. or.working. or.the.American.war.e ort.is.in.additional. reedom,.a.part.o .which.may.include.sight-seeing.and.educational.tours ..At.present,.however,.the.Italians.at.Carson.are.restricted.to.the.camp.area.but.they.are.not.under.guard ..They.may.patronize.one.o .the.camps.post.exchanges,.and.a.theater,.but.must.be.accompanied.by.American.personnel.at.all.times .Any.abuse.o .privileges.makes.them.subject.to.immediate.return.to.regular.prisoner.o .war.status.at.a.camp
********.Re ers.to.missing.text. rom.the.article
Camp Carson Mountaineer ,.Colorado.Springs,.August.3,.1944
Italian POW Volunteers Aid Camp Labor Shortage
100 Anti-Fascist and Anti-Nazi Italian Prisoners Make Up HighlySkilled Ordnance Maintenance Unit.
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
39/84
Italian News ,.July.28,.1944
Greeley Tribune ,.October.28,.1943
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
40/84
Greeley Tribune ,.December.18,.1943
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
41/84
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
42/84
Training. or.ISU.members.began.immediately. ollowing.enrollment .It.was.the.same.as.that. or.U S . servicemen. with. the. omission.o . tactical.and.weapons. training .. Forty- our.percent. o . the.men.participated.in.the.Mobilization.Training.Program.and.the.remainder.had.on.the.job.training .There.were.programs.in. our.services:..quartermaster.(88.hours),.Ordnance.(120.hours),.Engineer.(92.hours),.and.Transportation.(138.hours) ..Manuals,. lms,.circulars.and.other.teaching.aids.had.to.
be.hastily.translated.into.Italian . 5....The. Army. provided. English. classes. or. Italian. soldiers . Initially. volunteers. had. six. hours. o .English. weekly. during. o . duty. hours. with. instruction. manuals. issued. to. all. participants. and.provision. or. civilian. observation . Response. to. this. language. program. was. not. enthusiastic .Men. were. tired. a ter. a. days. work. and. not. eager. to. spend. o . hours. in. a. classroom . Many. o .the. men. were. illiterate. and.embarrassed. by. the. classes . Some. studied. with. the. thought. o . us-ing. their. English. once. given. reedom. in.American. communities . This. assumption. led. to. later.disillusionment . By. July. English. instruction. ell. to. ve. hours. a. week. and. by. November. two.hours. with. additional. time. or. those. who. wished . By. February. 1945,. it. declined. to. two.hours. o . classroom. English. and. two. hours. in. basic. military. subjects. (discipline,. customs,.
sanitation,. sex. hygiene,. malaria. control,. rst. aid). during. on. duty. hours . Ultimately. use.o . English. was. minimal . Italian. personnel. could. give. commands. in. Italian,. U S . personnel.could.use.English.or.Italian.and.Italians.learned.to.understand.English.commands 6.........
The.need. or.manpower.was.so.urgent.that.many.Italians.had.to.leave.special.training.programs.be ore. nishing .By.September.30,.1944.all.men.were. involved. in.on. the. job. training.at. camps.throughout. the. U S .The. average. Italian. POW. was. a. willing. worker. but. language. continued. to.be.a.severe.handicap .Many.Italians.had.been.peasant. armers.and.were.accustomed.to.working.with.their.hands.and.not.machines .O .900.Italians.training.as.dump.truck.drivers.less.than. ty.had.ever.driven.a.vehicle.and.only.ten.had.any.mechanical.background .While.they.were.good.laborers.there.was.little.chance.o .training.many.o .them.to.be.skilled.workers 7....
Despite. ISU. status. the. men.were.still. POWs.and. subject. to.certain. restrictions .They.could.not.marry. in. the. U S . I . housed. with. non. signers. or. German.POWS,. the. ISU. men. had. to. eat. the.regular.POW.diet.in.which.organ.meats.took.the.place.o . resh.meat .I .there.were.no.positions.or.ISU.o cers.or.privates,.they.had.to.return.to.a.regular.POW.camp.and.be.treated.accordingly ..
Disobedient. POWs. o . any. category. got. the. same. treatment--some. variation. o . hard. labor,.or eiture. o .pay,. or. a. bread.and.water.diet .Whatever. the. choice. it.was. always. in. compliance.
with.the.Geneva.Convention .All.POWs.had.to.return.to.the.country.whose.army.they.represented.without. exception;. no. trans ers. were. allowed. simply. to. be. near. relatives . They. could. not. be.photographed.in.civilian.clothing.and.they.could.not.purchase.war.bonds 8.....
There. were. numerous. advantages. or. Italian. prisoners. who. joined. ISU . They. received. $24 00.per.month;.$8 00.was.in.cash.and.$16 00.in.canteen.coupons .They.could.buy.what.they.wanted.with.the.cash.on.or.o .base .Non-ISU.prisoners.received.$. 80.per.day.in.scrip. or.any.labor.be-yond.basic.housekeeping.tasks,.and.$. 10. or.basics.like.toothpaste.and.other.personal.necessities .ISU.men.did.not.work.under.armed.guards.as.the.German.POWs,.but.under.direct.command.and.supervision.o .a.small.number.o .o cers.and.soldiers .Their.diet.was.better.than.other.POWs.as.they.were. ed.the.post.menu,.which.included.cheap.cuts.o .meat.when.apart. rom.Germans 9
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
43/84
ISU. men.also. had.more. generous. postal. privileges. than. other.POWs . . But. precautions. had. to.be.taken ..All.their.mail.was.censored.to.protect. amilies.o .men.who.were.still.in.enemy-occu-pied.Italy ..One.district.censor.wrote.numerous.letters.to.headquarters.in.Wadsworth,.New.York.enclosing.photos.and.letters.sent.by.ISU.men.in.outgoing.mail ..The.con scated.photos.showed.the.Italy.armband.o .POWs.indicating.their.ISU.status ..The.men.were.not.to.send.photos.with.
these. visible. markings. nor. letters. giving. camp. locations . . One. con scated. letter. read,. Please.understand. that. in.order. to. send. you. this. photo,. I. am. risking. imprisonment,. or. even. worse . I .this.should.be.censored,.I.am. nished Write.to.the.old.address ...This.one.is. alse . 10......The.most.attractive.aspect.o .volunteering. or.ISU.status.and.subsequently.the.most.controver-sial,. was. the. soldiers. opportunity. to. leave. base. and. participate. in. social. activities. in. . nearby.communities.under.escort ..This.was.a.use ul.reward. or.their.labor,.but.not.without.danger ..The.government. anticipated. problems.arising. when. ISU. men.met. local.women,.and. or. this. reason.some. o cers. had. opposed. socialization. o . base . .Yet. the. need. or. labor. was. paramount. and.socialization. was. the. main. attraction. in.getting. volunteers. or. the. ISU . . However,. once. POWs.appeared.on.public.transportation.and.at.large.gatherings.like.baseball.games,.charges.o .coddling.
prisoners.erupted ..General.John.Eager,.commander.at.ISU.headquarters.at.Ft .Wadsworth,.New.York,.spent.an.enormous.amount.o .time.responding.to.these.charges--both.true.and. alseand. justi ying.this.o .base.policy 11....
Not.all.reactions.were.negative ..Italian.ethnic.organizations.and.churches.in.urban.areas.invited.ISU. men. to.gatherings.o ten.giving. them. gi ts.on.holidays . . One.New.York. City. church. invit-ed.twenty.Italian.ISU.men.as.guests. or.Memorial.Day.services. ollowed.by.entertainment ..The.congregation. promised. to. provide. transportation . Members. o . the.Church. o .The. Lady. o . Mt .Carmel.in.Yonkers,.N Y .invited.150.Italian.volunteers. or.a.chicken.dinner,. urnished.buses. or.sightseeing,.and.a.Yonkers.girl.to.accompany.each.young.man ..The.Yonkers.Kiwanis.Club.did.not. react. kindly. to. these. demonstrations. o . riendship. and. passed. a. resolution. in. which. it.emphatically. denounces. the. practice. o . releasing. prisoners or. the. purpose. o . being. enter-tained and. demands. that. it. be. discontinued . . Any. attempted. justi cation . disregards. the.prevailing.sentiment.o .American. amilies.whose.loved.ones.have.su ered.and.died.perhaps.at.the.hands.o .some.o .these 12....
Civilians. complained. to. their. congressmen. who. asked. military. o cers. or. an. explanation . . A.constituent.wrote.to.Representative.Edward.J .Hart.complaining.that. ty.Italian.POWs. rom.Ft .Wadsworth.were.brought. to.church,.Palisade.Park,. and.supper. in.Union.City.while. his. 18.year.old. son. lived. in. the. swamps. o .Louisiana.with. two. sandwiches. and.a. little. water.every. twelve.hours.as.an.American.soldier ...On.August.9,.1944,.Representative.Thomas.E .Martin. orwarded.
a. letter. rom. the. American. Legion. Post. 27,. Muscatine,. Iowa. protesting. overly. generous. treat-ment.o .POWs.at.Rock.Island.Arsenal ..Colonel.John.Nash.responded .He.explained.that.ISU.men.contributed.valuable.labor.to.the.war.e ort.and.one.o .the.only.ways.to.reward.them,.li t.their.mo-rale,.and.sell.them.on.democracy.was.to.provide.o .base.excursions 13.........
The. Rock. Island. issue. did. not. rest . . In. November. 1944. the. president. o . The. Marine. Dads.Club. o .Rock. Island.County. wrote. to.Representative.Anton. Johnson. protesting. that. ISU. men.took. advantage. o . their. privileges. by. holding. drinking. parties. with. women. on. the.
7/30/2019 Prisoners Among Us Italian-American Idenity and World War II Teachers Guide
44/84
Arsenal. Island,.being.allowed. to.leave.base.and.. stay.with.women.o .base.overnight,. and.buy-ing.two.packs.o .cigarettes.a.day.at.reduced.prices--.which.was.an.advantage.over.American.citi-zens .An.o cer.was.dispatched.to.investigate.and.concluded.that.there.was.laxity.in.the.control.o .vehicles.and.granting.o .passes,. but. the. base.had.a. story-telling.group.that.gave.exaggerated.accounts.o .outings ..Corrective.measures. ollowed.and.more.rigid.discipline.was.en orced 14....
In.the. summer. o .1944.protests.came. rom.Igloo,.South. Dakota. when.citizens.complained. that.Italian. POWs. used. government. cars. and. consumed. precious. gasoline. to. travel. to. Hot. Springs.every. evening . . Such. actions. were. a. slap. in. the. ace. to. our. boys. . From. Charlotte,. North.Carolina,.Secretary.o .War,.Henry.L .Stimson.received.a. letter.complaining.that.POWs.were.be-ing.treated.like.honored.guests.while.a.constituent.in.Cleveland.wrote.Stimson.protesting.the.coddling.o . wops.From.Warsaw,.Indiana.came. the.suggestion.that.since.Italy.was.a. co-bellig-erent,.Italians.should.be.sent.back.to. ght.and.keep.American.boys.home.to.work.in.agriculture.rather. than. sending. them. to. ght. in.Italy .An. ex-serviceman