Describe why President Roosevelt passed Executive Order 9066.
He was concerned about Japanese spies living in the U.S.
He wanted to ally the U.S. with Great Britain and issue war bonds.
He wanted to ensure he had a workforce when soldiers went to war.
He wanted to encourage women to work while the men were at war.
President Roosevelt passed Executive Order 9066 in response to concerns over national security during World War II. The primary reason behind this order was his concern about Japanese spies living in the United States. The attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan had heightened fears of espionage and sabotage, and there were lingering suspicions about the loyalty of Japanese Americans.
Additionally, by issuing this order, Roosevelt aimed to ensure a workforce for the war effort. As many able-bodied men were enlisting in the military, there was a need for labor in industries that supported the war. By forcefully relocating Japanese Americans to internment camps, the government could mobilize this workforce and fill the gaps left by the absent soldiers.
The decision to pass Executive Order 9066 was also influenced by political motivations. Roosevelt wanted to strengthen the alliance with Great Britain and raise funds for the war, so he encouraged the American public to purchase war bonds. Demonizing and removing a segment of the population, like the Japanese Americans, could potentially rally support for the war effort and increase bond sales.
Lastly, though not explicitly stated in the order itself, Roosevelt may have seen the internment of Japanese Americans as an opportunity to encourage women, who were previously confined to domestic roles, to enter the workforce. With men serving in the military, the government sought to tap into the potential of the female workforce to meet the growing demands of the war economy.
It is important to note that Executive Order 9066 and the internment of Japanese Americans have been widely criticized as unjust and a violation of fundamental civil rights. The order was eventually repealed in 1944 as public opinion began to shift, and reparations and apologies were later provided to those affected by the internment.