Exclusion orders

On February 19, 1942, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which allowed the military to exclude people from any location without a trial or hearing. While it did not name people of Japanese ancestry specifically, it was clearly aimed at them and was enforced accordingly. Under the authority of Executive Order 9066, General John DeWitt defined 108 exclusion areas throughout the West Coast, each containing approximately 1,000 Japanese Americans. The first exclusion orders were issued for Bainbridge Island, Washington on March 24, 1942. Orders were posted around town, informing all Japanese American residents of the impending mass removal. Individuals and families were given only one week to prepare. By the end of October 1942, all 108 exclusion orders had been issued, forcing over 110,000 Japanese Americans into concentration camps around the country.

World War II (277)
Mass removal ("evacuation") (743)
Exclusion orders (122)

Filters

Facilities

Format

Genre

Usage

Use <Ctrl> or (⌘) keys to select multiple terms

Gallery view
List view

122 items

img Japanese Americans registering for mass removal (ddr-densho-151-115)

Original caption: San Francisco, California. In response to the Army's Exclusion Order Number 20, residents of Japanese ancestry appear at Civil Control Station at 2031 Bush Street, for registration. The evacuees will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-151-115/

img Posted exclusion orders (ddr-densho-151-76)

Original WRA caption: San Francisco, California. Exclusion Order posted at First and Front Streets directing removal of persons of Japanese ancestry from the first San Francisco section to be effected by the evacuation.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-151-76/

img Posted exclusion orders (ddr-densho-151-77)

Original WRA caption: San Francisco, California. On a brick wall beside air raid shelter poster, exclusion orders were posted at First and Front Streets directing removal of persons of Japanese ancestry from first San Francisco section to be affected by evacuation. The order was issued April 1, 1942, by Lieutenant General J.L. DeWitt, and directed evacuation …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-151-77/

img Exclusion orders posted in vacated restaurant (ddr-densho-151-127)

Original caption: San Francisco, California. Civilian Exclusion Order Number 5, ordering evacuation of residents of Japanese ancestry, posted in a vacant store window on Grant Avenue in Chinatown. This establishment, like many others in Chinatown, was operated by proprietors of Japanese descent. Evacuees will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-151-127/

img Shoppers looking at posted exclusion orders (ddr-densho-151-84)

Original caption: San Francisco, California. Saturday afternoon shoppers reading order directing evacuation of persons of Japanese ancestry. This store on Grant Avenue in Chinatown was vacated by an art dealer of Japanese descent. Evacuees will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-151-84/

img Japanese Americans discussing exclusion orders (ddr-densho-151-274)

Original caption: Byron, California. Field laborers of Japanese ancestry from a large delta ranch have assembled at Wartime Civil Control Administration station to receive instructions for evacuation which is to be effective in three days under Civilian Exclusion Order Number 24. They are arguing together about whether or not they should return to the ranch to …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-151-274/

img Three men standing in front of posted exclusion orders (ddr-densho-151-83)

Original WRA caption: Field laborers of Japanese ancestry in front of Wartime Civil Control Administration station where they have come for instructions and assistance in regard to their evacuation due in three days under Civilian Exclusion Order Number 24. This order affects 850 persons in this area. The men are now waiting for the truck which …

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-151-83/

img Japanese Americans registering for mass removal (ddr-densho-151-116)

Original caption: The full caption for this photograph reads: San Francisco, California. In response to the Army's Exclusion Order Number 20, residents of Japanese ancestry appear at Civil Control Station at 2031 Bush Street for registration. The evacuees will be housed in War Relocation Authority centers for the duration.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-151-116/

img Nisei helping to post exclusion orders (ddr-densho-34-46)

Some of the Nisei men on Bainbridge Island helped the soldiers hand out and post the exclusion notice that gave instructions for the exclusion of the Japanese American community on Bainbridge Island. Bainbridge Island, Washington was one of the first areas to be evacuated due to its proximity to the Puget Sound Naval Shipyards.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-34-46/

doc Civilian Exclustion Order No. 27 (ddr-densho-292-5)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-292-5/

doc Copy of Exclusion Order No. 5 (ddr-densho-410-23)

Issued April 1, 1942

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-410-23/

doc A Message from the Director of the War Relocation Authority (ddr-densho-539-36)

Outlining the process of closing the incarceration camps and lifting of exclusion orders. Signed by D.S. Myer

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-539-36/

doc Press release announcing the lifting of the exclusion order (ddr-densho-539-51)

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-539-51/

doc Exclusion Order No. 18 (ddr-densho-549-2)

Instructions regarding the forced evacuation orders for Japanese Americans in Seattle.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-549-2/

doc University of California, Berkeley honorary degree materials (ddr-densho-433-979)

A collection of materials related to a 2009 event hosted by the University of California, Berkeley to honor students who were removed from the college due to Executive Order 9066.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-433-979/

doc The Newell Star, Extra (December 19, 1944) (ddr-densho-284-45)

Selected article titles: "Coast Ban Lifted: War Department Revokes Exclusion Order Sunday" (p. 1), "Official Army Statement: Public Proclamation No. 21" (pp. 2-3), "A Message from WRA Director Dillon S. Myer" (pp. 4-5), and "Project Director's Statement" (p. 6).

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-45/

doc Information Bulletin (January 3, 1945) (ddr-densho-284-47)

Tule Lake Center informational bulletin regarding policies implemented as a result of Public Proclamation No. 21. Also includes a message from the Secretary of the Interior, Harold L. Ickes.

https://ddr.densho.org/ddr-densho-284-47/