Fan Theory: Japanese-American Internment and the Star Wars Universe
Seventy-five years ago today, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order to send all people of Japanese descent to internment camps — a decision that (with the benefit of time and reflection) has become a warning that even Americans could come perilously close to our very own Holocaust. It also inspired one of my favorite fan-theories.
Another infamous order is Order 66, where Supreme Chancellor Palpatine executed a secret plan to exterminate the Jedi. But, why did George Lucas decide to name the plan Order 66?
It’s no secret that George Lucas was inspired by World War II movies when we was making Star Wars. X-Wing combat is inspired by movies such as Dam Busters, R2-D2 and C-3PO were inspired by The Hidden Fortress and, most famously, the Jedi were inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai.
So, the Jedi are notionally samurai, long considered a symbol of Japan. Roosevelt’s order, a symbol of anti-Japanese sentiment. Palpatine and Roosevelt, both popular leaders, making populist decisions during a time of war. FDR was also accused of trying to set himself up as an Emperor, since he broke the tradition of voluntarily giving up power after two terms. There are tons of parallels, and here is the last one: The executive order that interned the Japanese-Americans? EO 9066.
None of this has been confirmed by George Lucas, so it may or may not be the real inspiration, but it seems plausible, and it’s definitely my head-canon now.
Order 66 = EO 9066
