LAD #37- FDR's Executive Order 9066

FDR's Executive Order 9066 Relocating Japanese Americans
February 19th, 1942
Summary:


With the United States caught in the hysteria of World War II, President Roosevelt was encouraged to authorize the internment of tens of thousands of Japanese Americans. The Executive Order 9066 authorized the transportation of these citizens to military camps, including Americans of other dominant ethical backgrounds as well.


This Order was meant to protect the country from an espionage or sabotage, and FDR authorized the Secretary of War and Military Commanders to remove and relocate any persons of questionable background, but they were also authorized to provide said people with food, shelter, and any other necessary accommodations. The Order allowed the Secretary and Commanders to use any means to enforce compliance within each Military area.

FDR directed all Executive Departments to aid the Secretary of War and Military in providing "medical aid, hospitalization, food, clothing, transportation, use of land, shelter, and other supplies, equipment, utilities, facilities, and services" to these relocated peoples. The Order would not, however, alter or limit the Executive Order 8972 of December 12th, 1941, the Federal Bureau of Investigation -which may have at times been looking into any acts of sabotage- or the responsibilities of the Attorney General and the Department of Justice.

LAD #36- FDR's Declaration of War on Japan

FDR's Declaration of War on Japan
December 8th, 1941
Summary:


The Japanese Assault on Pearl Harbor took place on December 7th, 1941, targeting airfields and battleships and killing a few thousand people in Hawaii -both servicemen and civilians. The attack was widely broad casted in the United States, sending a shock wave through the nation. the very next day President Roosevelt approached Congress asking them to declare war on Japan, deeming December 7th as "a date which will live in infamy."

He began by stating that the two nations had been at peace with one another, also claiming that the Japanese Ambassador to the United States had left no hint of war or attack, also leading to the thought that the Japanese Government had tried to deceive the United States with its "expressions of hope for continued peace." A great deal of American lives were lost in the attack, and there was the sudden air of hostility between the two nations. FDR asked Congress to declare war on the offensive island nation in order to to protect American lives and safety of the nation.

On December 11th, Japan's allies -the Axis Powers- would also declare war on the United States.