In a paragraph of 200-300 words consider the question: Who created the source? Why did
they create it? What was going on at the time of composition? Why is the source
significant/why would they bother including it along with the textbook? Do not just
summarize the source.
The creator of the source “Executive Order No. 9066 (1942)” was President Fraklin D.
Roosevelt. This order authorized the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans
living on the West Coast of the United States. FDR created this executive order because of the
fear and paranoia that arose after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. At
the time of composition, the United States was deeply concerned about the national security and
the potential for infiltration or sabotage by individuals of Japanese descent. The attack on Pearl
Harbor had created a strong anti-Japanese sentiment among the American public, and there was a
widespread belief that Japanese Americans posed a threat to national security. The source is
significant because it sheds light on the historical context and motivations behind the creation of
Executive Order No. 9066. By including it along with the textbook, we are provided with a
primary source that allows us to understand the decision-making process in the government to
carry out FDR’s executive order and the prevailing attitudes of the time. It also helps us to
critically analyze the actions taken by the government during a time of crisis and evaluate the
impact of those actions on the lives of Japanese Americans.
