Canada in World War II · Term 2

Battle of the Atlantic

Students examine Canada's military contributions to World War II, including the Battle of the Atlantic, D-Day, and the liberation of the Netherlands.

About This Topic

The internment of Japanese Canadians during World War II is one of the most significant human rights violations in Canadian history. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Canadian government used the War Measures Act to forcibly remove over 22,000 people of Japanese descent, most of whom were Canadian citizens, from the BC coast. This topic explores how wartime fear and long-standing racism led to the suspension of civil liberties, the confiscation of property, and the forced relocation of families to internment camps in the interior of BC and across the country.

Students examine the conditions in the camps and the government's post-war attempts to deport Japanese Canadians to Japan. This is a critical part of the Ontario curriculum, focusing on the fragility of citizenship and the importance of human rights. This topic benefits from analyzing primary sources like internment notices and survivor testimony. Students grasp the injustice of these actions faster through structured discussion and by investigating the long struggle for redress and an official apology.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: The War Measures Act in WWII

In small groups, students analyze the specific orders used to intern Japanese Canadians. They compare these to the rights guaranteed to citizens today and identify how the law was used to target a specific group based on race rather than evidence of wrongdoing.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

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Gallery Walk: Life in the Camps

Set up stations with photos, letters, and artifacts from internment camps like Tashme or Lemon Creek. Students move through the gallery, noting the impact of the relocation on families, education, and the loss of their homes and businesses.

⏱ 40 min·Pairs

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Think-Pair-Share: The Redress Movement

Students read about the 1988 Redress Agreement and Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's apology. They discuss with a partner whether they think an apology and financial compensation are enough to address such a significant historical injustice.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Japanese Canadians were interned because they were a proven security threat.

What to Teach Instead

The RCMP and the military both advised the government that there was no evidence of disloyalty or a threat from the Japanese Canadian community. Peer analysis of these 'security reports' helps students see that the internment was driven by political pressure and racism, not military necessity.

Common Misconception

The government looked after the property of interned people until they returned.

What to Teach Instead

The government actually sold off the homes, businesses, and fishing boats of Japanese Canadians, often for a fraction of their value, and used the proceeds to pay for the internment itself. Using a 'Loss of Assets' activity helps students understand the economic devastation caused by the internment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were Japanese Canadians interned?

While the government claimed it was for 'national security' after the attack on Pearl Harbor, it was largely driven by long-standing anti-Asian racism in BC and political pressure from those who wanted to remove Japanese Canadians from the coast and seize their property.

What were the conditions like in the internment camps?

Conditions were often very poor. Families were often lived in crowded, uninsulated shacks with no running water or electricity. They faced harsh winters, inadequate food, and the psychological toll of being imprisoned by their own country.

What happened to Japanese Canadians after the war?

Even after the war ended, the government tried to force many Japanese Canadians to 'repatriate' to Japan, even those who had never been there. It wasn't until 1949 that they were finally allowed to return to the BC coast and had their full rights as citizens restored.

How can active learning help students understand the Japanese Canadian internment?

Active learning strategies, such as analyzing the War Measures Act and survivor testimony, help students understand the human and legal dimensions of the internment. By investigating the 'why' and 'how' of these events, students develop a more critical perspective on the role of the state and the importance of protecting civil liberties for all citizens. This hands-on approach fosters a deeper sense of empathy and a commitment to human rights.

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