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Essay / Researching Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066 and Demonstrating the President's Abuse of Power
Class Essay: Executive Order 9066Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Overreach of Executive Power in Executive Order 9066 Demonstrates How the Executive Orders constitute an abuse of power by the President of the United States and are deliberately designed to comply with what is constitutionally authorized. They have been found constitutional by the Supreme Court, but they are not as thoroughly vetted as laws that must be passed by Congress. They can be used to decide how laws will be enforced, handle emergencies, explain minor details or policies, or set an agenda for the executive branch – but they must be based on Article II of the Constitution as well as existing laws or court cases. (Eaton). However, only two executive orders have been overturned due to a lawsuit and the delicate balance between controlling this right of the president and protecting the people from the possibility of dictatorship. This particular executive order was defended because it was passed during a time of war, but the rights of American citizens should be no less important in times of conflict and Executive Order 9066 has continued to live in history as it was exactly: an abuse of executive power and a dangerous step for FDR toward the role of a total dictatorship. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why violent video games should not be banned”? Get the original essay This Order was created during wartime for this country, but it was not – and never was – a new experience for the United States. This country was founded following a violent revolution and has been involved in a multitude of wars from the 18th century until today. The United States showed a history of racism even before the start of World War II when it made pacts with the Empire of Japan, such as the "Gentleman's Agreement" to ban Japanese immigration, eventually 'ban through the Immigration Act of 1924. The United States thought nothing of these actions until Japan invaded China in July 1937 and suddenly Asia was plunged into chaos of World War II (Eaton). As Japan began to invade the islands of the Pacific Ocean, the Americans began to worry about the reaction of the country they had blocked at its borders, now that they had the upper hand in the conflict. Many praised Roosevelt for Executive Order 9066, saying it was crucial during a time of war, as Japan had attacked Pearl Harbor just over two months before it was signed. However, when Roosevelt agreed to "authorize and direct the Secretary of War...to prescribe military zones" (Executive Order 9066), he forgot that the Supreme Court had never given him the power to legislate, and certainly not laws that would override the laws. Bill of Rights. This executive order demonstrates how presidents are able to ensure that their decisions as head of state are considered to be in the public interest, and also shows that this power is too important to be granted to a single person. Roosevelt had no reason to believe his nation was in danger since the Munson Report was written by the State Department just four months before signing Executive Order 9066 and stated: "There is no 'problem' Japanese on the coast. There will be no armed uprising of the Japanese” (Munson Report). The report's authors added that while they believed there might be attempted attacks by Japanese citizens in the United States, the country..