"A Challenge to Democracy"

The film, “A Challenge to Democracy” discussed the Americanism of the Japanese. During this time period, the Japanese were taken out of their “normal” lives they had made up in America. Here they were shipped to other areas of the country and in one case, a man whose hobby was machine work soon became his job. This sort of thing was done by Americans so they could win the war. They got the Japanese to specialize in areas where they worked best in order to increase their production levels or such things as food and supplies. This film was made with the intention of Americans to view it.
The film begins to talk about the evacuation of the Japanese and dislocated people in America. Areas were built called relocation centers. These places could house 7 to 18 thousand people and was guarded by the police. The living areas were 20x25 feet and there was little privacy within them. Everyone ate in a cafeteria where each person was allowed a maximum on 45 cents of food per day. This amount costs more than what it actually cost to produce the food. Some people were able to hold jobs and the pay ranged from $12 a month for beginners to $19 a month for skilled workers such as doctors. These centers also offered an American education as well as health protection. The teachers consisted of some Caucasian and others were evacuees. Within the health services, Japanese who worked there were supervised by Caucasian. Elections also took place in the centers for such things as rules and regulations of the area. People of 18 years and older were able to vote. It was stated that these health centers were not normal and probably never would be. The living and working conditions were not good. According to the film, the Americanism of the Japanese was most prevalent in the United States army. The film shows how the Americans were once again trying to civilize an outside group of people (Japanese) and fit into their culture to rid the savagery idea.
I was a little confused by this film. I would have liked to know a little more background information on what was happening at this time in America. What sparked the want to civilize the Japanese? Why were the centers created and were they found to be useful to the Americans?