Blog #37: FDR's Executive Order 9066

Roosevelt begins his declaration of Executive Order 9066 by stating that the United States must be protected at all costs. He then goes on to say that he gives the Secretary of War the authority to enforce this Order. In other words, he will allow the Secretary of War to establish military areas that will contain people who are a possible threat to the nation. These people will receive transportation, food, shelter, and whatever else is necessary. Roosevelt mentions that he will allow the Secretary of War or appointed Military Commander to do whatever is needed to enforce the rules within these military zones, whether it includes Federal troops or other Federal Agencies. He then authorizes all Executive Departments, Federal Agencies, and other independent establishments to assist the Secretary of War by providing medical aid, food, clothing, transportation, etc. Finally, Roosevelt ends by stating that Executive Order 9066 will not modify or limit Executive Order No. 8972 or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

I understand why Americans were so paranoid after the attack on Pearl Harbor, but it was not right for the United States to put its very own citizens into confined military areas and accuse them of being enemies. This was horrible, because in reality, many American Japanese were disappointed in Japan and by no means supported such an attack. Although Americans were blinded by grief and paranoia, that is no excuse for turning on their very own citizens. In fact, in a time like that it is especially important that all Americans- of all heritages- come together as one and fight the true threat at hand- not each other.

Executive Order 9066 authorized the Secretary of War to create military zones for the Japanese Americans, who many viewed as a threat to America after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor.

Executive Order 9066 ended up creating many military zones that held innocent American Japanese people. The affects that this Order had on these people is reflected in "Home was a Horse Stall" (see blog #35). This Order forced many American Japanese to burn their valuable Japanese heirlooms, live in confined spaces, and be accused of supporting the attack on Pearl Harbor- which they did not support at all.