Manzanar was one of ten (concentration or internment) camps where over 110,000 Japanese Americans were imprisoned during World War II.

Since the end of World War II, there has been debate over the terminology used to refer to Manzanar and the other camps in which Americans of Japanese ancestry (mostly U.S. Citizens) and their immigrant parents were imprisoned by the United States Governmwnt during the war. Manzanar has been referred to as a "War Relocation Center", "relocation camp," "relocation center", "internment camp", and "concentration camp", and the controversy over which term is the most accurate and appropriate continues to the present day. The semantics of camp names in Germany, Japan and the U.S. could differ only by the treatment of the inmates, as they all locked up U.S. citizens. Although most prisoners quietly accepted their fate during World War II, there was some resistance in the camps: "A crowd of several hundred returned to protest, and when the people surged forward, military police threw tear gas to disperse them. As people ran to avoid the tear gas, some in the crowd pushed a driverless truck toward the jail. At that moment, the military police fired into the crowd, killing a 17–year–old boy instantly. A 21–year–old man who was shot in the abdomen died days later. Nine other prisoners were wounded, and a military police corporal was wounded by a ricocheting bullet...." Scene of "barrack homes" at this War Relocation Authority Center for evacuees of Japanese ancestry. A hot windstorm brings dust from the surrounding desert. Lange, Dorothea. 7/3/42. Manzanar from Guard Tower, view west (Sierra Nevada in background), Manzanar Relocation Center (concentration camp), California. 1943. Ansel Adams, photographer. Part of a line waiting for lunch outside the mess hall at noon. Photographer: Lange, Dorothea -- Manzanar, California. 7/1/42

Corporal Jimmie Shohara has two ribbons: Good Behavior pre-Pearl Harbor, Rifle and Pistol Citations, 2 of 2, Manzanar Relocation Center (concentration camp), California. 1943. Ansel Adams, photographer.

Roy Takeno reading paper in front of office / photograph by Ansel Adams. 1943.

Catherine Natsuko Yamaguchi, nurse, Manzanar, 2 of 4, Manzanar Relocation Center, California. 1943. Ansel Adams, photographer.

Tractor repair: Driver Benji Iguchi, Mechanic Henry Hanawa, Manzanar Relocation Center (concentration camp), California. Ansel Adams. 1943. Roy Takano [i.e., Takeno] at town hall meeting, Manzanar Relocation Center (concentration camp), California. Ansel Adams. 1943. Sumiko Shigematsu, foreman of power sewing machine girls, Manzanar Relocation Center (concentration camp), California. Ansel Adams. 1943. Michael Yonemetsu, [i.e., Yonemitsu] x-ray specialist, Manzanar Relocation Center, California. Photograph by Ansel Adams. Louise Tami Nakamura, Manzanar Relocation Center (concentration camp), California. Photograph by Ansel Adams. Richard Kobayashi, farmer with cabbages, Manzanar Relocation Center, California. Photograph by Ansel Adams. Harry Sumida, in hospital, Manzanar Relocation Center. Photograph by Ansel Adams. Mr. and Mrs. Henry J. Tsurutani and baby Bruce, Manzanar Relocation Center (concentration camp), California / photograph by Ansel Adams.