Executive Order 9066

Definition

Executive Order 9066 was a presidential directive issued by Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942, allowing for the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. This order directly impacted Japanese American communities, shaping their experiences and responses amid widespread discrimination and fear following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Executive Order 9066 was justified by the U.S. government as a necessary security measure following the attack on Pearl Harbor, despite lacking concrete evidence of disloyalty among Japanese Americans.
2. Approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly removed from their homes and relocated to internment camps across the United States.
3. The implementation of the order revealed deep-seated racial prejudice and xenophobia against individuals of Japanese descent, leading to significant trauma and loss.
4. Life in the internment camps was marked by overcrowding, poor living conditions, and loss of property, with many families forced to leave their businesses and homes behind.
5. The order was eventually recognized as a grave injustice, leading to a redress movement that sought acknowledgment and reparations for the victims of internment.

Review Questions

• How did Executive Order 9066 impact Japanese American communities during World War II?
  • Executive Order 9066 had a profound impact on Japanese American communities as it led to the forced relocation of about 120,000 individuals to internment camps. This uprooting caused significant disruption to their lives, severing ties with their homes and businesses while subjecting them to discrimination and suspicion from society at large. The order not only stripped away their civil liberties but also instilled a lasting trauma within these communities that affected their identity and social cohesion.
• Evaluate the justifications given for Executive Order 9066 and how they reflected broader societal attitudes toward Japanese Americans at that time.
  • The justifications for Executive Order 9066 were primarily rooted in wartime fears following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. Government officials claimed it was necessary for national security; however, this reflected broader societal attitudes that were steeped in racism and xenophobia. The lack of evidence for disloyalty among Japanese Americans showed how these justifications were more about racial prejudice than genuine concern for security, illustrating how fear can lead to the violation of civil rights.
• Discuss the long-term consequences of Executive Order 9066 on Japanese American identity and community dynamics post-internment.
  • The long-term consequences of Executive Order 9066 significantly reshaped Japanese American identity and community dynamics. After the war, many Nisei and Sansei faced challenges reintegrating into society due to lingering stigma and discrimination. The experience of internment fostered a strong sense of solidarity within the community, leading to activism for civil rights and eventual reparations through the Civil Liberties Act of 1988. This event became a pivotal moment in redefining what it meant to be Japanese American, as survivors shared their stories and worked towards healing from past injustices.

Related terms

Internment Camps: Facilities where Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated during World War II, often under harsh conditions and with limited personal freedoms.

Civil Liberties Act of 1988:

Legislation that acknowledged the injustices of internment, providing reparations to surviving Japanese Americans who were interned during WWII.

Nisei:

The second-generation Japanese Americans born in the United States, many of whom were directly affected by Executive Order 9066.