Immediately following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, many Americans became very suspicious of Japanese Americans. Ultimately, orders were issued to remove more than 120,000 people from the West Coast, two-thirds of whom were U.S. citizens. They were transported to one of ten incarceration camps in California, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, and Arkansas. In this lesson, students will explore the musical cultures and long-term legacies of the Japanese incarceration. First, they will learn about the events that preceded the incarceration, the experiences of people who lived in the camps, and the long-term effects of this historical event. Next, they will consider how monuments (visual art) can draw attention to important people, events, social groups, and issues. Finally, they will explore how music has been used as a powerful tool to commemorate the Japanese incarceration experience and other historic events.

Lesson Paths & Learning Objectives

1. Why E.O. 9066?

   • Explain the events that led to the incarceration of 120,000 Japanese and Japanese Americans during WWII.
   • Discuss what life was like in the camps and the kind of music people made.
   • Identify some key long-term impacts of the Japanese American incarceration camps.
   • 30+ minutes

2. Creating a Monument

   • Explain the purposes monuments serve.
   • Explain the key decisions needed to create your own monument.
   • 15+ minutes

3. Musical Commemmorations

   • Identify and explain how different composers/songwriters have used musical elements and expressive qualities to convey messages about the Japanese American incarceration.
   • Explain how historical context and different audiences affect the music a composer/songwriter creates.
   • 30+ minutes