Civil Defense Literature Collection, 1941-1960

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Summary

Title:
Civil Defense Literature Collection
Dates:
1941-1960
Creators:
United States. Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization, United States. Federal Civil Defense Administration, and United States. Office of Civilian Defense
Abstract:
This collection includes booklets, advertisements, pamphlets, leaflets, and ephemera related to civil defense. Subjects include advertisements on blackout products, civil defense literature and decal products, and World War Two ephemera. Also included is material related to radioactive, nuclear, and atomic attacks; and fallout shelters.
Extent:
1 box and .84 Linear Feet
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Background

Scope and content:

The Civil Defense Literature Collection (1939-1966; undated) consists of .42 linear ft of booklets, pamphlets, leaflets, advertisements, and ephemera related to civil defense in the 1940s-1960s relating to war emergencies; and radioactive, nuclear, and atomic attacks. This collection includes literature with information about civil defense and Citizens Defense Corps as well as advertisements and posters for war-related products and efforts.

Biographical / historical:

The Office of Civilian Defense (OCD) was established by President Franklin Roosevelt in May of 1941 to create safety measures and procedures to protect citizens in the case of air raids, blackouts, and other war-related attacks. The office was also in charge of the morale of the citizens and for the creation of a citizen volunteer recruitment or what would eventually be titled the Citizen's Defense Corp. Citizens were encouraged to join through Citizen's Defense volunteer offices who would assign roles and train volunteers for positions such as driver, messenger, auxiliary police, as well as other volunteer positions. After a volunteer had completed training, they were able to wear an armband or uniform with the insignia of the position they were trained for. The OCD continued throughout the war to establish safety measures and assist in volunteer recruitment. The program officially concluded in June of 1945. After the OCD program was dissolved;the Federal Civil Defense Administration (FCDA) was created by President Harry S. Truman in 1950 due to the detonation of the Soviet Union's first atomic weapon. In 1958 the FCDA was superseded by the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization when President Dwight D. Eisenhower merged the FCDA with the Office of Defense Mobilization.The civil defense functions of the office were transferred to the Department of Defense's Office of Civil Defense in 1961.

Processing information:

Processed by Jennifer Hill in 2018.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Jennifer Hill
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2023-03-02 18:19:00 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Terms of access:

All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.

Preferred citation:

For information about citing archival material, see the Citations for Archival Material guide, or consult the appropriate style manual.

Location of this collection:
University Library, 5th Flr (5039)
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, CA 90747, US
Contact:
(310) 243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Website