Anti-Japanese Prejudice: There had been a history of anti-Asian racism and prejudice in the United States, including against Japanese immigrants and their descendants. They faced economic competition and discrimination in many areas of life. This prejudice served as a foundation for the harsh measures that would later be taken against Japanese-Americans.
Political Pressure: Following the Pearl Harbor attack, there was immense public pressure on the government to take action. Political leaders, including President Franklin Roosevelt, were concerned about potential sabotage or espionage by Japanese-Americans. This fear, although largely unsubstantiated, was influential in shaping policy.
National Security Concerns: The military expressed concerns that people of Japanese descent living near sensitive military and coastal areas might pose a security risk. However, significant evidence supporting these fears never materialized, and the internment was not endorsed by all within the military.
Executive Order 9066: On February 19, 1942, President Roosevelt issued Executive Order 9066, which authorized the Secretary of War to designate "military areas" from which certain people could be excluded. While the order didn't explicitly mention Japanese-Americans, it was clear who the primary targets were.
Mass Internment: Executive Order 9066 led to the mass internment of approximately 120,000 individuals of Japanese descent, including both American citizens and resident aliens. They were forcibly removed from their homes and communities on the West Coast and interned in ten remote concentration camps throughout the western United States.
It's important to note that the decision to intern Japanese-Americans was based on unsubstantiated fears and racial prejudice rather than actual evidence of wrongdoing or disloyalty. The internment camps became a shameful episode in American history that resulted in significant human rights violations, disrupted lives, and lasting trauma within the Japanese-American community.