Southeast Missouri State College Civil Defense Records

Collection — Box: 1203

Identifier: 2008.064

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Records, newsletters, speeches and brochures divided thematically into four series concerning civil defense efforts during WWI I, WW II, and the Cold War. Each series is organized chronologically. Series I contains civil defense records and brochures from Cape Girardeau County during WWI and the Cold War. Series II contains newsletters and speeches from the State Council of Defense during WWII. Series III contains civil defense efforts of the Southeast Missouri State Teachers College faculty during WWII. Series IV contains civil defense related brochures published by the United States government during the Cold War.

Dates

Creation: Majority of material found within 1917-1968, Bulk [1941-1958]

Rights Statement

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code).

Biographical / Historical

United States Civil Defense in the 20th Century began with the National Council of Defense created by the United States Army Appropriation Act of 1916. This council was to coordinate and streamline resources of the federal departments of War, Navy, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, and Labor in the event that the United States was involved in armed military conflict. Local versions of the National Council of Defense were created to support this mission on the state, county, and municipal levels. At the urging of a number of mayors, the Office of Civilian Defense was created in 1941 to support the National Council of Defense on the local level, providing functions that the federal government did not including the protection of personal property.

A part of the Missouri Council of Defense, the Cape Girardeau County Council of Defense held its first meeting on June 23, 1917. Third District Normal School President Washington Strother Dearmont served as the chairman. At the end of WWI, the Missouri and Cape Girardeau County Councils of Defense were disbanded. The State Council of Defense coordinated Civil Defense activities in Missouri during WWII. At the of the War Civil Defense functioned as an educational tool for the preparedness in case of nuclear or a natural disaster.

Extent

0.25 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Includes defense council meeting minutes, member lists, and publications outlining strategy for public safety and security during WWI, WWII, and the Cold War era. Also includes safety information in the cases of tornadoes, fire, or a nuclear attack.