Executive Order 9066

Definition

Executive Order 9066 was a United States presidential directive signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942, which authorized the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. This order allowed for the exclusion of any person from designated military areas, leading to the forced relocation and incarceration of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans, two-thirds of whom were U.S. citizens. The order reflects the wartime climate of fear and prejudice against Japanese Americans, highlighting issues of civil liberties and racial discrimination.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Executive Order 9066 was issued in response to fears that Japanese Americans might act as spies or saboteurs following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
2. The order led to the establishment of ten internment camps across the United States, where Japanese Americans faced harsh living conditions and loss of property.
3. Despite being U.S. citizens, many Japanese Americans were unjustly treated as enemies, and their loyalty was questioned throughout the war.
4. Legal challenges to Executive Order 9066 occurred, but the Supreme Court upheld its constitutionality in cases like Korematsu v. United States.
5. In 1988, the U.S. government formally acknowledged the injustice of internment through the Civil Liberties Act, which provided reparations and recognized the wrongful actions taken against Japanese Americans.

Review Questions

• How did Executive Order 9066 impact the lives of Japanese Americans during World War II?
  • Executive Order 9066 had a profound impact on Japanese Americans, resulting in the forced relocation and internment of around 120,000 individuals. Families were uprooted from their homes, often with little notice or ability to secure their belongings. The internment camps, where they were housed, provided inadequate living conditions and subjected them to discrimination despite their loyalty to the United States.
• Evaluate the legal and social implications of Executive Order 9066 within the context of American civil rights during World War II.
  • Executive Order 9066 raised significant legal and social implications regarding civil rights in America. It highlighted how wartime fears can lead to government overreach and violations of individual freedoms. The Supreme Court's decisions upholding the internment demonstrated a troubling precedent in which national security was prioritized over civil liberties, raising ongoing debates about racial discrimination and constitutional rights.
• Analyze how Executive Order 9066 reflects broader themes of fear and prejudice in American society during World War II, and discuss its lasting effects on contemporary views regarding civil rights.
  • Executive Order 9066 encapsulates broader themes of fear and prejudice that permeated American society during World War II, particularly following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. The decision to intern Japanese Americans was fueled by racial biases and nationalistic sentiments, revealing how easily public opinion can be swayed towards discriminatory practices in times of crisis. Its lasting effects are still felt today as it serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting civil rights for all individuals, regardless of race or ethnicity, especially in periods of national insecurity.

Related terms

Internment Camps: Facilities where Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated and detained during World War II under Executive Order 9066.

Civil Liberties Act of 1988: A law that formally apologized for the internment of Japanese Americans and provided reparations to survivors.

War Relocation Authority: The agency created to oversee the internment process and manage the relocation of Japanese Americans during World War II.