A Guide to Primary Resources for U.S. History : Executive Order 9066 George Mason University: "History Matters" This resource presents the document that initated a shameful chapter in American history -- the internment of Japanese American citizens living on the West Coast. The students can read the descriptive paragraph and the relatively short Order and write a journal response with the following prompt: Why do you think Japanese-Americans were the focus of such treatment, but not German and Italian-Americans? What does the Japanese Internment reveal about the character and fears of Americans in the 1940s? Do you think a similar order could be given today? The students can create political cartoons, which present commentary on Executive Order 9066. The teacher can ask students to write two response letters to FDR in response to Executive Order 9066. In the first letter, the student would take the perspective of a citizen concerned with the idea of the relocation camps as a violation of civil rights. In the second letter, the students would take the perspective of a citizen in support of the Order.

Executive Order 9066
George Mason University: History Matters

Description: This resource presents the document that initated a shameful chapter in American history -- the internment of Japanese American citizens living on the West Coast.

Teaching Tips:

"Do Now" Suggestion

The students can read the descriptive paragraph and the relatively short Order and write a journal response with the following prompt: Why do you think Japanese-Americans were the focus of such treatment, but not German and Italian-Americans? What does the Japanese Internment reveal about the character and fears of Americans in the 1940s? Do you think a similar order could be given today?

Suggestions for Using this Resource as Part of a Lesson

The students can create political cartoons, which present commentary on Executive Order 9066.
The teacher can ask students to write two response letters to FDR in response to Executive Order 9066. In the first letter, the student would take the perspective of a citizen concerned with the idea of the relocation camps as a violation of civil rights. In the second letter, the students would take the perspective of a citizen in support of the Order.