Events/Actions
National Security or Protection of Rights?
As the war escalated, Japan would join the Axis Powers and attack Pearl Harbor, which led to President Roosevelt to issue Executive Order 9066 which would violate Japanese Americans' rights for the security of the nation.
“Following the Pearl Harbor attack, however, a wave of anti-Japanese suspicion and fear led the Roosevelt administration to adopt a drastic policy toward these residents, alien and citizen alike…The government cited national security as justification for this policy although it violated many of the most essential constitutional rights of Japanese Americans” (The National WWII Museum | New Orleans).
The policy that was issued was Executive Order 9066. It cast aside the rights of Japanese Americans for the security of the U.S. People’s responsibilities and rights were considered in the policy draft, but under the fear of a wide-scale attack on the nation, the decision was made. This violation, although done for the U.S., would become a leading and controversial topic.
Pearl Harbor attack, December 9, 1941, Britannica