Evacuation Orders

Definition

Evacuation orders refer to the directives issued by the U.S. government during World War II that mandated the removal of Japanese Americans from the West Coast and their relocation to internment camps. These orders were fueled by widespread anti-Japanese sentiment, heightened by propaganda that depicted Japanese Americans as potential threats to national security. The issuance of these orders reflects the broader societal fears and prejudices that emerged during wartime, illustrating how fear can lead to drastic measures against specific communities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Evacuation orders were issued in early 1942, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, leading to the forced removal of over 120,000 Japanese Americans from their homes.
2. The government justified these orders by citing national security concerns, despite a lack of evidence that Japanese Americans posed any real threat.
3. Many Japanese Americans lost their businesses, homes, and personal belongings as a result of these evacuation orders, leading to long-lasting economic impacts.
4. The evacuation orders and subsequent internment were later acknowledged by the U.S. government as a grave injustice, culminating in the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, which offered reparations to survivors.
5. The public sentiment that allowed for evacuation orders was heavily influenced by propaganda that depicted Japanese Americans in a negative light, fostering distrust and fear.

Review Questions

• How did evacuation orders reflect the growing anti-Japanese sentiment in American society during World War II?
  • Evacuation orders were a direct result of escalating anti-Japanese sentiment in American society after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This sentiment was fueled by fears of espionage and sabotage, driven by propaganda that painted Japanese Americans as potential enemies. As public opinion turned against them, the government felt justified in taking drastic actions like issuing evacuation orders, which demonstrated how societal fears can override civil liberties.
• What were the implications of Executive Order 9066 for Japanese Americans and how did it lead to their forced internment?
  • Executive Order 9066 had significant implications for Japanese Americans, as it provided the legal foundation for their forced relocation and internment. The order allowed military authorities to designate exclusion zones, resulting in the eviction of over 120,000 individuals from their homes. This governmental action highlighted a disregard for due process and civil rights, as many families were uprooted without fair hearings or evidence of wrongdoing.
• Evaluate the long-term effects of evacuation orders on Japanese American communities and how they have shaped discussions around civil rights in the United States.
  • The long-term effects of evacuation orders on Japanese American communities have been profound and multifaceted. Many families faced significant economic hardships due to lost property and livelihoods during their internment. Additionally, these experiences have shaped discussions about civil rights in the United States by illustrating the dangers of prejudice and governmental overreach. The acknowledgment of this injustice through reparations has spurred ongoing conversations about civil liberties, community resilience, and the importance of safeguarding against discrimination in times of crisis.

Related terms

Executive Order 9066:

A presidential directive signed by Franklin D. Roosevelt that authorized the military to designate areas from which Japanese Americans could be excluded, leading to their internment.

Internment Camps: Facilities where Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated and confined during World War II, often under harsh conditions and without due process.

Anti-Japanese Sentiment: Widespread prejudice and hostility towards individuals of Japanese descent, which intensified during World War II and contributed to the justification of evacuation orders.