Executive Order 9066 was issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 19, 1942, during World War II. It is best evaluated by understanding its context and consequences, including the following key points:
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National Security Concerns: The primary rationale behind Executive Order 9066 was the perceived threat to national security following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. There was widespread fear and distrust of Japanese Americans, who were seen as potential spies or saboteurs.
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Racism and Prejudice: The decision to intern Japanese Americans was also influenced by deep-seated racial prejudices and stereotypes about people of Japanese descent. Despite the lack of evidence indicating any disloyalty among Japanese Americans, these prejudices contributed to the justification for the executive order.
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Political Pressure: There was significant political pressure on the Roosevelt administration to take action against Japanese Americans, driven by public sentiment and the lobbying of military leaders and various interest groups.
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Violation of Civil Liberties: The executive order led to the forced relocation and internment of approximately 120,000 Japanese Americans, most of whom were U.S. citizens. This action has since been recognized as a grave injustice and a violation of civil liberties.
In summary, Executive Order 9066 was primarily motivated by national security concerns exacerbated by racial prejudice and political pressures, leading to a significant infringement on the rights of Japanese Americans.