Скачать или смотреть The Internment of Japanese Americans: "A Challenge to Democracy" (1944)

A Challenge to Democracy | Full WWII Propaganda Film | U.S. National Archives

Title: A Challenge to Democracy (1944) Produced by: U.S. War Relocation Authority (WRA) in cooperation with the Office of War Information (OWI).

About the Film: Produced during the height of World War II, "A Challenge to Democracy" is a government documentary/propaganda film designed to justify the forced relocation and incarceration of over 110,000 people of Japanese descent—the majority of whom were American citizens—into internment camps.

The film depicts life in the camps (such as Manzanar and Heart Mountain) as orderly and productive, showing internees farming, attending school, and participating in community activities. However, modern historians view this film as a critical piece of wartime propaganda that glossed over the harsh realities, loss of civil liberties, and the constitutional "challenge" that the title implies.

Historical Context: Following the signing of Executive Order 9066 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1942, Japanese Americans on the West Coast were forcibly removed from their homes. This film was released to the American public in 1944 to present a curated view of the "success" of the relocation program.

Why Watch? This film is an essential primary source for students of American history, civil rights, and media studies. It serves as a stark reminder of the power of government messaging and the importance of protecting democratic principles during times of crisis.

Technical Details:

Release Date: 1944

Running Time: ~20 minutes

Source: U.S. National Archives (Public Domain)

License: Public Domain / No Copyright