On February 19, 1942, executive order number 9066 from President
Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized the Secretary of War to prescribe
Military Areas. This allowed for the definition and exclusion
of a certain group (Japanese) from areas considered important
as far as national security. This order allowed the Secretary
of War to designate powers to the military to enforce compliance
of the evacuation of these "high risk" areas. The first
result to the Japanese Americans was the exclusion from their
homes and businesses.
"Executive Order 9066 gave the military the power to exclude
people from certain areas designated as "military areas".
The order did not specify a particular race but the command was
used only against persons of Japanese ancestry. This order was
supported by the Justice Department, implemented by the Army,
and sanctioned by the Supreme Court. It was based on the pretext
that it was a "military necessity".
After demanding the evacuation, it was the responsibilitiy of
the United States Government to provide residents with transportation,
food, shelter, and other necessities. The military's answer to
this was the internment camp.
For example, in San Francisco the Western Defense Command issued
instructions to "all persons of Japanese Ancestry" to
report on a certain date for deportation--
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"Evacuees must carry with them on departure
for the Reception Center, the following property:
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