Executive Order 9066

Definition

Executive Order 9066 was a United States presidential directive issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942, that authorized the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. This order granted military authorities the power to designate certain areas as exclusion zones, effectively leading to the forced relocation and incarceration of around 120,000 individuals, most of whom were U.S. citizens.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Executive Order 9066 was influenced by wartime fears and racial prejudice against Japanese Americans following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
2. The order led to the establishment of ten internment camps across the United States, where families lived in cramped quarters with limited privacy and amenities.
3. Most of those interned were American citizens, and the decision to intern them was later criticized as a violation of their constitutional rights.
4. The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of Executive Order 9066 in the case of Korematsu v. United States (1944), a decision that has been widely condemned in subsequent years.
5. In 1988, the U.S. government formally apologized for the injustices of internment and allocated funds for reparations, recognizing that the actions taken under Executive Order 9066 were based on racial discrimination.

Review Questions

• How did Executive Order 9066 reflect societal attitudes towards Japanese Americans during World War II?
  • Executive Order 9066 showcased deep-seated racial prejudices and wartime fears prevalent in American society at the time. Following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, many Americans viewed Japanese Americans as potential threats, leading to widespread suspicion and hostility. The order was a direct response to these fears, allowing military authorities to forcibly relocate and intern Japanese Americans without due process, highlighting how fear can override civil liberties in times of crisis.
• Evaluate the impact of Executive Order 9066 on the constitutional rights of Japanese Americans and its implications for civil liberties in wartime.
  • The impact of Executive Order 9066 was profound, as it led to a significant infringement on the constitutional rights of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans. Their forced relocation and internment occurred without proper legal proceedings or just cause, raising critical questions about civil liberties during wartime. The implications were far-reaching, prompting debates on the balance between national security and individual rights that continue to resonate in discussions about civil liberties today.
• Assess the long-term consequences of Executive Order 9066 on American society and its legal landscape regarding civil rights.
  • The long-term consequences of Executive Order 9066 are significant in shaping both American society and its legal landscape regarding civil rights. The internment experience has become a cautionary tale about the dangers of racial prejudice and government overreach in times of national crisis. This historical event prompted changes in public perception towards civil rights, ultimately contributing to later movements advocating for justice and equality. Furthermore, it has led to critical legal assessments regarding governmental authority and individual liberties, emphasizing the need for vigilance against discrimination based on race or ethnicity in legal frameworks.

Related terms

Internment Camps: Facilities where Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated and confined during World War II, often under harsh conditions and with little regard for their rights.

Civil Liberties Act of 1988: Legislation that acknowledged the injustice of the internment and provided reparations to surviving Japanese Americans who were affected by Executive Order 9066.

Constitutional Rights: The protections and privileges afforded to individuals under the U.S. Constitution, which were violated for many during the internment process.