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The Origins of “Keep Calm and Carry On” | Susan Grayzel | TEDxUniversityofMississippi


so by now there probably isn’t anyone in

so by now there probably isn’t anyone in this room who hasn’t seen the poster

this room who hasn’t seen the poster

this room who hasn’t seen the poster with it’s bright white letters and it’s

with it’s bright white letters and it’s

with it’s bright white letters and it’s sharp red background keep calm and carry

sharp red background keep calm and carry

sharp red background keep calm and carry on or we’ve seen a number of variations

on or we’ve seen a number of variations

on or we’ve seen a number of variations keep calm and smile on keep calm and

keep calm and smile on keep calm and

keep calm and smile on keep calm and rock on and for this crowd right keep

rock on and for this crowd right keep

rock on and for this crowd right keep calm and steady on or even what’s

calm and steady on or even what’s

calm and steady on or even what’s becoming my personal favorite sod calm

becoming my personal favorite sod calm

becoming my personal favorite sod calm and get angry but behind the popular

and get angry but behind the popular

and get angry but behind the popular resurgence of this British slogan a

resurgence of this British slogan a

resurgence of this British slogan a slogan that was invented but actually

slogan that was invented but actually

slogan that was invented but actually never used during the Second World War

never used during the Second World War

never used during the Second World War and one which didn’t really become

and one which didn’t really become

and one which didn’t really become popular until 2008-2009 lies a really

popular until 2008-2009 lies a really

popular until 2008-2009 lies a really important and neglected history it’s not

important and neglected history it’s not

important and neglected history it’s not a simple story about being calm in the

a simple story about being calm in the

a simple story about being calm in the face of the uncertainties and dangers of

face of the uncertainties and dangers of

face of the uncertainties and dangers of modern life it’s not that keeping calm

modern life it’s not that keeping calm

modern life it’s not that keeping calm is the antidote to everything or even

is the antidote to everything or even

is the antidote to everything or even possible but does the slogan I think we

possible but does the slogan I think we

possible but does the slogan I think we can use to understand a specific history

can use to understand a specific history

can use to understand a specific history about how the age of air power shift is

about how the age of air power shift is

about how the age of air power shift is a relationship between individuals and

a relationship between individuals and

a relationship between individuals and their States in ways with which we are

their States in ways with which we are

their States in ways with which we are still grappling about a hundred years

still grappling about a hundred years

still grappling about a hundred years ago the First World War assured in air

ago the First World War assured in air

ago the First World War assured in air raids attacks on civilian spaces and

raids attacks on civilian spaces and

raids attacks on civilian spaces and bodies that made securing borders

bodies that made securing borders

bodies that made securing borders obsolete in the first places that

obsolete in the first places that

obsolete in the first places that experienced air raid such as Britain as

experienced air raid such as Britain as

experienced air raid such as Britain as you can see in this 1915 photo of a

you can see in this 1915 photo of a

you can see in this 1915 photo of a Zeppelin or airship and searchlights

Zeppelin or airship and searchlights

Zeppelin or airship and searchlights that were being used to identify it

that were being used to identify it

that were being used to identify it this meant improvising a response to

this meant improvising a response to

this meant improvising a response to keep a population as safe as possible

keep a population as safe as possible

keep a population as safe as possible what role would non-combatants play in

what role would non-combatants play in

what role would non-combatants play in the wars after 1918 what could states

the wars after 1918 what could states

the wars after 1918 what could states ask of their entire populations from

ask of their entire populations from

ask of their entire populations from children to the elderly to men and women

children to the elderly to men and women

children to the elderly to men and women from all walks of life the response was

from all walks of life the response was

from all walks of life the response was the creation of Civil Defence a kind of

the creation of Civil Defence a kind of

the creation of Civil Defence a kind of civic mobilization that tried to

civic mobilization that tried to

civic mobilization that tried to incorporate the message you should keep

incorporate the message you should keep

incorporate the message you should keep calm in order to carry on I didn’t

calm in order to carry on I didn’t

calm in order to carry on I didn’t realize when I started to do this

realize when I started to do this

realize when I started to do this research that this ended up being part

research that this ended up being part

research that this ended up being part of my family history

of my family history

of my family history I’m historian of the First World War and

I’m historian of the First World War and

I’m historian of the First World War and of gender and more generally when I came

of gender and more generally when I came

of gender and more generally when I came across accounts of women experiencing

across accounts of women experiencing

across accounts of women experiencing areas during the First World War

areas during the First World War

areas during the First World War I knew I wanted to learn more but I was

I knew I wanted to learn more but I was

I knew I wanted to learn more but I was finishing my book at home and under fire

finishing my book at home and under fire

finishing my book at home and under fire when in a casual conversation with my

when in a casual conversation with my

when in a casual conversation with my father I learned that my grandmother

father I learned that my grandmother

father I learned that my grandmother Sara gracel had been a civil defense

Sara gracel had been a civil defense

Sara gracel had been a civil defense volunteer in Brooklyn New York

volunteer in Brooklyn New York

volunteer in Brooklyn New York during the Second World War so I’m

during the Second World War so I’m

during the Second World War so I’m wearing her pin in honor of her service

wearing her pin in honor of her service

wearing her pin in honor of her service and in her memory and also you can see

and in her memory and also you can see

and in her memory and also you can see that there are a number of other emblems

that there are a number of other emblems

that there are a number of other emblems that other volunteers wore during the

that other volunteers wore during the

that other volunteers wore during the Second World War they embodied the

Second World War they embodied the

Second World War they embodied the slogan of the u.s. Civil Defense Corps

slogan of the u.s. Civil Defense Corps

slogan of the u.s. Civil Defense Corps which was every civilian a fighter it’s

which was every civilian a fighter it’s

which was every civilian a fighter it’s a really interesting shift in what it

a really interesting shift in what it

a really interesting shift in what it means to understand war and certainly

means to understand war and certainly

means to understand war and certainly the family connection made me think

the family connection made me think

the family connection made me think about my work and its legacy in a new

about my work and its legacy in a new

about my work and its legacy in a new way because civilian spaces and bodies

way because civilian spaces and bodies

way because civilian spaces and bodies have always been targets of warfare what

have always been targets of warfare what

have always been targets of warfare what change was during the First World War

change was during the First World War

change was during the First World War new forms of technology helped turn

new forms of technology helped turn

new forms of technology helped turn domestic spaces into battle zones The

domestic spaces into battle zones The

domestic spaces into battle zones The effect of using air power first airships

effect of using air power first airships

effect of using air power first airships and then airplanes against Sylvan

and then airplanes against Sylvan

and then airplanes against Sylvan populations troubled contemporaries

populations troubled contemporaries

populations troubled contemporaries public accounts of the first attacks and

public accounts of the first attacks and

public accounts of the first attacks and throughout the duration of the war

throughout the duration of the war

throughout the duration of the war condemned these as criminal acts

condemned these as criminal acts

condemned these as criminal acts committed by a barbaric enemy by

committed by a barbaric enemy by

committed by a barbaric enemy by emphasizing the kind of damage done to

emphasizing the kind of damage done to

emphasizing the kind of damage done to what were deemed the most vulnerable of

what were deemed the most vulnerable of

what were deemed the most vulnerable of victims young female homes and the

victims young female homes and the

victims young female homes and the ordinary people who occupied them when

ordinary people who occupied them when

ordinary people who occupied them when serious air raids on Britain began in

serious air raids on Britain began in

serious air raids on Britain began in January of 1915 the media coverage

January of 1915 the media coverage

January of 1915 the media coverage emphasized such things as a boy killed

emphasized such things as a boy killed

emphasized such things as a boy killed while he lay in bed or babies being

while he lay in bed or babies being

while he lay in bed or babies being seriously injured at the end of May when

seriously injured at the end of May when

seriously injured at the end of May when London experienced its first air raids

London experienced its first air raids

London experienced its first air raids six people were killed but the death

six people were killed but the death

six people were killed but the death that received the most attention was

that received the most attention was

that received the most attention was that of a three-year-old girl Elsie

that of a three-year-old girl Elsie

that of a three-year-old girl Elsie Lillian Leggett who died of burns and

Lillian Leggett who died of burns and

Lillian Leggett who died of burns and suffocation despite the fact that her

suffocation despite the fact that her

suffocation despite the fact that her father had rushed into a home to try to

father had rushed into a home to try to

father had rushed into a home to try to save her in response to this new phase

save her in response to this new phase

save her in response to this new phase of waging war the Manchester Guardian

of waging war the Manchester Guardian

of waging war the Manchester Guardian urged its readers to respond as follows

urged its readers to respond as follows

urged its readers to respond as follows and I quote the true answer to every act

and I quote the true answer to every act

and I quote the true answer to every act of frightfulness is to increase our

of frightfulness is to increase our

of frightfulness is to increase our efforts to meet the enemy in the field

efforts to meet the enemy in the field

efforts to meet the enemy in the field and show ourselves unmoved in our homes

and show ourselves unmoved in our homes

and show ourselves unmoved in our homes this call for civilians subject to war

this call for civilians subject to war

this call for civilians subject to war waged against them to be unmoved began

waged against them to be unmoved began

waged against them to be unmoved began to characterize most of the subsequent

to characterize most of the subsequent

to characterize most of the subsequent responses to the air raids as they

responses to the air raids as they

responses to the air raids as they continued and at roughly the same time

continued and at roughly the same time

continued and at roughly the same time that air power was coming into its own

that air power was coming into its own

that air power was coming into its own so too were submarine attacks and that

so too were submarine attacks and that

so too were submarine attacks and that same spring the Lusitania was sunk and

same spring the Lusitania was sunk and

same spring the Lusitania was sunk and poison gas was unleashed on the western

poison gas was unleashed on the western

poison gas was unleashed on the western front a chemical weapon that could not

front a chemical weapon that could not

front a chemical weapon that could not be contained just to the battlefield

be contained just to the battlefield

be contained just to the battlefield there is a sense that war was now

there is a sense that war was now

there is a sense that war was now becoming one without limits but there

becoming one without limits but there

becoming one without limits but there was no organized way to respond there

was no organized way to respond there

was no organized way to respond there are no warnings there were no shelters

are no warnings there were no shelters

are no warnings there were no shelters there were no evacuation there was

there were no evacuation there was

there were no evacuation there was simply no policy how was the state going

simply no policy how was the state going

simply no policy how was the state going to ensure that the community would

to ensure that the community would

to ensure that the community would continue functioning despite these new

continue functioning despite these new

continue functioning despite these new threats it improvised things it printed

threats it improvised things it printed

threats it improvised things it printed signs that could tell people when it was

signs that could tell people when it was

signs that could tell people when it was safe to go about after an air raid

safe to go about after an air raid

safe to go about after an air raid delivered among other things five Boy

delivered among other things five Boy

delivered among other things five Boy Scouts on bicycles but by 1917 when

Scouts on bicycles but by 1917 when

Scouts on bicycles but by 1917 when daylight raids by airplanes began there

daylight raids by airplanes began there

daylight raids by airplanes began there was a new call to issue public warnings

was a new call to issue public warnings

was a new call to issue public warnings but in private not everyone could agree

but in private not everyone could agree

but in private not everyone could agree and there was concern about particular

and there was concern about particular

and there was concern about particular types of the population and how they

types of the population and how they

types of the population and how they would respond the mayor of a London

would respond the mayor of a London

would respond the mayor of a London borough wrote to the Home Office on the

borough wrote to the Home Office on the

borough wrote to the Home Office on the 26th of June that year that quote when

26th of June that year that quote when

26th of June that year that quote when has only to remember the unfortunate and

has only to remember the unfortunate and

has only to remember the unfortunate and prejudicial effect upon health

prejudicial effect upon health

prejudicial effect upon health especially in the case of delicate women

especially in the case of delicate women

especially in the case of delicate women that the general warning would

that the general warning would

that the general warning would undoubtedly create for one to realize

undoubtedly create for one to realize

undoubtedly create for one to realize the much evil would probably result by

the much evil would probably result by

the much evil would probably result by needlessly causing disturbance and there

needlessly causing disturbance and there

needlessly causing disturbance and there was a thick file of people responding to

was a thick file of people responding to

was a thick file of people responding to whether it was a good idea to warn

whether it was a good idea to warn

whether it was a good idea to warn people an impending danger that may or

people an impending danger that may or

people an impending danger that may or may not materialize what would be the

may not materialize what would be the

may not materialize what would be the effects on women how could you get

effects on women how could you get

effects on women how could you get people to keep calm and carry on and you

people to keep calm and carry on and you

people to keep calm and carry on and you can see the tremendous power that air

can see the tremendous power that air

can see the tremendous power that air raids had because of their shock would

raids had because of their shock would

raids had because of their shock would be new and in fact terrifying in the

be new and in fact terrifying in the

be new and in fact terrifying in the letters

letters

letters that are found throughout archives in

that are found throughout archives in

that are found throughout archives in England including those of Edie Bennett

England including those of Edie Bennett

England including those of Edie Bennett who is a young wife and mother living

who is a young wife and mother living

who is a young wife and mother living the East End of London married to a

the East End of London married to a

the East End of London married to a gunner in the Royal feed Field Artillery

gunner in the Royal feed Field Artillery

gunner in the Royal feed Field Artillery she wrote to her husband from her perch

she wrote to her husband from her perch

she wrote to her husband from her perch in a home under fire messages that

in a home under fire messages that

in a home under fire messages that convey all too well that the idea that

convey all too well that the idea that

convey all too well that the idea that you should stay calm was not always

you should stay calm was not always

you should stay calm was not always possible in a series of distraught

possible in a series of distraught

possible in a series of distraught letters in July of 1917 she told him oh

letters in July of 1917 she told him oh

letters in July of 1917 she told him oh darling this life is getting too

darling this life is getting too

darling this life is getting too terrible for words and one’s nerves

terrible for words and one’s nerves

terrible for words and one’s nerves cannot stand much more when I shut my

cannot stand much more when I shut my

cannot stand much more when I shut my eyes can see these huge things like

eyes can see these huge things like

eyes can see these huge things like great black words right over us and

great black words right over us and

great black words right over us and coming all directions to London and God

coming all directions to London and God

coming all directions to London and God help us next time for you’re absolutely

help us next time for you’re absolutely

help us next time for you’re absolutely beaten and no mourning whenever baby and

beaten and no mourning whenever baby and

beaten and no mourning whenever baby and I stood in the passage clenched tightly

I stood in the passage clenched tightly

I stood in the passage clenched tightly together expecting the last of our lives

together expecting the last of our lives

together expecting the last of our lives and every hour we do not know but will

and every hour we do not know but will

and every hour we do not know but will be our last don’t think I have any fear

be our last don’t think I have any fear

be our last don’t think I have any fear but should like once more to see you of

but should like once more to see you of

but should like once more to see you of this wicked war will it ever end and in

this wicked war will it ever end and in

this wicked war will it ever end and in a letter not that long after she

a letter not that long after she

a letter not that long after she continuing in the same vein life seems

continuing in the same vein life seems

continuing in the same vein life seems just one misery night and day and

just one misery night and day and

just one misery night and day and forever and fear but I suppose you must

forever and fear but I suppose you must

forever and fear but I suppose you must try and keep smiling for your dear sake

try and keep smiling for your dear sake

try and keep smiling for your dear sake there’s a way in which this is a

there’s a way in which this is a

there’s a way in which this is a reversal of the normal order of things

reversal of the normal order of things

reversal of the normal order of things she was in some senses in more danger

she was in some senses in more danger

she was in some senses in more danger with her little girl than her husband

with her little girl than her husband

with her little girl than her husband was in a war zone a traditional war zone

was in a war zone a traditional war zone

was in a war zone a traditional war zone it was not till the aftermath of this

it was not till the aftermath of this

it was not till the aftermath of this summer that the British government

summer that the British government

summer that the British government decided that it had to provide clear

decided that it had to provide clear

decided that it had to provide clear public warnings along with other

public warnings along with other

public warnings along with other measures that were meant both to keep

measures that were meant both to keep

measures that were meant both to keep the public safe and to minimize panic

the public safe and to minimize panic

the public safe and to minimize panic yet well official warnings the

yet well official warnings the

yet well official warnings the organization of shelters grants of

organization of shelters grants of

organization of shelters grants of financial aid and public Symphony helped

financial aid and public Symphony helped

financial aid and public Symphony helped the air raids first victims it was clear

the air raids first victims it was clear

the air raids first victims it was clear that civilians were no longer safe that

that civilians were no longer safe that

that civilians were no longer safe that their government cannot completely

their government cannot completely

their government cannot completely defend the homeland from attack

defend the homeland from attack

defend the homeland from attack furthermore a now significant air power

furthermore a now significant air power

furthermore a now significant air power disrupted these divisions between a home

disrupted these divisions between a home

disrupted these divisions between a home front populated by women and children in

front populated by women and children in

front populated by women and children in need of protection

need of protection

need of protection and a battle zone filled with male

and a battle zone filled with male

and a battle zone filled with male warriors women like Bennett could absorb

warriors women like Bennett could absorb

warriors women like Bennett could absorb the message they

the message they

the message they needed to keep smiling but there had to

needed to keep smiling but there had to

needed to keep smiling but there had to be something more to do to help ordinary

be something more to do to help ordinary

be something more to do to help ordinary folks like her cope by the end of the

folks like her cope by the end of the

folks like her cope by the end of the first world war at the age of airpower

first world war at the age of airpower

first world war at the age of airpower had arrived and there were some visible

had arrived and there were some visible

had arrived and there were some visible reminders in the immediate aftermath

reminders in the immediate aftermath

reminders in the immediate aftermath such as a monument erected to the

such as a monument erected to the

such as a monument erected to the schoolchildren of poplar a place in East

schoolchildren of poplar a place in East

schoolchildren of poplar a place in East London where an infant’s nursery school

London where an infant’s nursery school

London where an infant’s nursery school had been directly hit by a bomb well the

had been directly hit by a bomb well the

had been directly hit by a bomb well the official toll of dead from this air raid

official toll of dead from this air raid

official toll of dead from this air raid are miniscule compared to the huge

are miniscule compared to the huge

are miniscule compared to the huge numbers of combatants and millions of

numbers of combatants and millions of

numbers of combatants and millions of combatants death in this war it’s not

combatants death in this war it’s not

combatants death in this war it’s not the numbers of dead that matter but the

the numbers of dead that matter but the

the numbers of dead that matter but the terrifying new circumstances that

terrifying new circumstances that

terrifying new circumstances that surround them

surround them

surround them post-war air theorists and military

post-war air theorists and military

post-war air theorists and military planners argued that this way to wage

planners argued that this way to wage

planners argued that this way to wage war was going to succeed because of its

war was going to succeed because of its

war was going to succeed because of its unrelenting capacity to demoralize the

unrelenting capacity to demoralize the

unrelenting capacity to demoralize the enemy population and force them to

enemy population and force them to

enemy population and force them to collapse and see their own governments

collapse and see their own governments

collapse and see their own governments for peace or cause these governments to

for peace or cause these governments to

for peace or cause these governments to just disappear what might stop such a

just disappear what might stop such a

just disappear what might stop such a result was the development what became

result was the development what became

result was the development what became known as civil defense and plans for

known as civil defense and plans for

known as civil defense and plans for this started in many places including

this started in many places including

this started in many places including Britain in the aftermath of the first

Britain in the aftermath of the first

Britain in the aftermath of the first world war one of the first meetings

world war one of the first meetings

world war one of the first meetings British planners determined that this

British planners determined that this

British planners determined that this was the message civilians had to hear

was the message civilians had to hear

was the message civilians had to hear they must realize that they are living

they must realize that they are living

they must realize that they are living within the zones of active operations

within the zones of active operations

within the zones of active operations and therefore must expect to suffer

and therefore must expect to suffer

and therefore must expect to suffer casualties and that the enemy people is

casualties and that the enemy people is

casualties and that the enemy people is being subjected to similar but harsher

being subjected to similar but harsher

being subjected to similar but harsher treatment that they themselves are

treatment that they themselves are

treatment that they themselves are called upon to support and that victory

called upon to support and that victory

called upon to support and that victory will fall to the nation with the greater

will fall to the nation with the greater

will fall to the nation with the greater powers of endurance those actively and

powers of endurance those actively and

powers of endurance those actively and to large extent secretly engaged in the

to large extent secretly engaged in the

to large extent secretly engaged in the process of planning for the next war had

process of planning for the next war had

process of planning for the next war had to determine what would allow a civilian

to determine what would allow a civilian

to determine what would allow a civilian population to injure what they construed

population to injure what they construed

population to injure what they construed as a devastating war that might involve

as a devastating war that might involve

as a devastating war that might involve incendiary bombs high explosives and

incendiary bombs high explosives and

incendiary bombs high explosives and even chemical weapons in short how to

even chemical weapons in short how to

even chemical weapons in short how to prepare them to face a war of

prepare them to face a war of

prepare them to face a war of annihilation

annihilation

annihilation civil defense measures became more and

civil defense measures became more and

civil defense measures became more and more public in Britain and elsewhere in

more public in Britain and elsewhere in

more public in Britain and elsewhere in an increasingly tense interim

an increasingly tense interim

an increasingly tense interim context in the late made actually to

context in the late made actually to

context in the late made actually to late 1930s and in places like Britain

late 1930s and in places like Britain

late 1930s and in places like Britain that were democracy is there is heated

that were democracy is there is heated

that were democracy is there is heated even vocal opposition to the very idea

even vocal opposition to the very idea

even vocal opposition to the very idea of civil defense opponents claimed that

of civil defense opponents claimed that

of civil defense opponents claimed that to prepare for such a war was to

to prepare for such a war was to

to prepare for such a war was to encourage its rival but what’s

encourage its rival but what’s

encourage its rival but what’s remarkable but the transnational

remarkable but the transnational

remarkable but the transnational development is that after the first

development is that after the first

development is that after the first world war he committed to relying on

world war he committed to relying on

world war he committed to relying on ordinary people to keep calm and carry

ordinary people to keep calm and carry

ordinary people to keep calm and carry on when Britain released its first

on when Britain released its first

on when Britain released its first public statement about civil defense or

public statement about civil defense or

public statement about civil defense or what it called at the time air raid

what it called at the time air raid

what it called at the time air raid precautions it was clear that the notion

precautions it was clear that the notion

precautions it was clear that the notion that there could be no guarantee of

that there could be no guarantee of

that there could be no guarantee of immunity for anyone any longer was going

immunity for anyone any longer was going

immunity for anyone any longer was going to be the rule one example of the public

to be the rule one example of the public

to be the rule one example of the public conversation that followed this idea can

conversation that followed this idea can

conversation that followed this idea can be found in a newspaper editorial that

be found in a newspaper editorial that

be found in a newspaper editorial that appeared directly responding to the

appeared directly responding to the

appeared directly responding to the release of this document this is a

release of this document this is a

release of this document this is a reminder of the peril that hovers above

reminder of the peril that hovers above

reminder of the peril that hovers above there used to be a specious phrase

there used to be a specious phrase

there used to be a specious phrase civilized war after the first bombs fell

civilized war after the first bombs fell

civilized war after the first bombs fell in 1914 after the first gas attack

in 1914 after the first gas attack

in 1914 after the first gas attack common sense would no longer believe in

common sense would no longer believe in

common sense would no longer believe in it the invention of the airplane has

it the invention of the airplane has

it the invention of the airplane has made more unspeakably barbarous women

made more unspeakably barbarous women

made more unspeakably barbarous women children the age the sick the animals

children the age the sick the animals

children the age the sick the animals all are now in the line of fire war has

all are now in the line of fire war has

all are now in the line of fire war has less conscience today than at any other

less conscience today than at any other

less conscience today than at any other time the war being planned for was not

time the war being planned for was not

time the war being planned for was not going to discriminate but the

going to discriminate but the

going to discriminate but the fundamental question remained

fundamental question remained

fundamental question remained how would or could an entire population

how would or could an entire population

how would or could an entire population respond when these proposals became

respond when these proposals became

respond when these proposals became enshrined and legislation again in

enshrined and legislation again in

enshrined and legislation again in Brinton which didn’t take which took two

Brinton which didn’t take which took two

Brinton which didn’t take which took two years to achieve in 1937 parliamentary

years to achieve in 1937 parliamentary

years to achieve in 1937 parliamentary debates about the passage of this

debates about the passage of this

debates about the passage of this legislation involved the following

legislation involved the following

legislation involved the following statement the new factor of terror from

statement the new factor of terror from

statement the new factor of terror from the air means that as in all war it is

the air means that as in all war it is

the air means that as in all war it is the spirit of the people that in the

the spirit of the people that in the

the spirit of the people that in the last resort makes victory possible in

last resort makes victory possible in

last resort makes victory possible in practice the British government did

practice the British government did

practice the British government did again countries across the world they

again countries across the world they

again countries across the world they began to recruit an army of volunteers

began to recruit an army of volunteers

began to recruit an army of volunteers for civil defense creating among other

for civil defense creating among other

for civil defense creating among other things the key role of a warden an

things the key role of a warden an

things the key role of a warden an individual with responsibilities that

individual with responsibilities that

individual with responsibilities that link this

link this

link this date in the home that looked after a

date in the home that looked after a

date in the home that looked after a post or a neighborhood that were trying

post or a neighborhood that were trying

post or a neighborhood that were trying to make themselves um take

to make themselves um take

to make themselves um take responsibility for their large role and

responsibility for their large role and

responsibility for their large role and local communities and there’s perhaps no

local communities and there’s perhaps no

local communities and there’s perhaps no better sign of just how open this was

better sign of just how open this was

better sign of just how open this was then Britain’s women’s voluntary service

then Britain’s women’s voluntary service

then Britain’s women’s voluntary service for civil defenses housewives unit which

for civil defenses housewives unit which

for civil defenses housewives unit which encouraged ordinary wives and mothers to

encouraged ordinary wives and mothers to

encouraged ordinary wives and mothers to work part-time and they were to hang

work part-time and they were to hang

work part-time and they were to hang this sign in their windows so people

this sign in their windows so people

this sign in their windows so people knew that they were trained and that you

knew that they were trained and that you

knew that they were trained and that you could seek help from them it crucially

could seek help from them it crucially

could seek help from them it crucially recognised that wives and mothers were

recognised that wives and mothers were

recognised that wives and mothers were now frontline fighters this is a theme

now frontline fighters this is a theme

now frontline fighters this is a theme reiterated from the dawn of air power

reiterated from the dawn of air power

reiterated from the dawn of air power and again the cornerstone of the u.s. is

and again the cornerstone of the u.s. is

and again the cornerstone of the u.s. is own civil defence Corps every civilian a

own civil defence Corps every civilian a

own civil defence Corps every civilian a fighter during the Second World War

fighter during the Second World War

fighter during the Second World War women and men across the borders of age

women and men across the borders of age

women and men across the borders of age and class and ethnicity and geography

and class and ethnicity and geography

and class and ethnicity and geography volunteered to help keep each other safe

volunteered to help keep each other safe

volunteered to help keep each other safe ER at its core the invention of civil

ER at its core the invention of civil

ER at its core the invention of civil defense relied upon a new relationship

defense relied upon a new relationship

defense relied upon a new relationship between the state and the individual it

between the state and the individual it

between the state and the individual it insisted on the mobilization literally

insisted on the mobilization literally

insisted on the mobilization literally of everybody on behalf of the nation at

of everybody on behalf of the nation at

of everybody on behalf of the nation at war and it promoted the idea that since

war and it promoted the idea that since

war and it promoted the idea that since nothing could prevent danger from

nothing could prevent danger from

nothing could prevent danger from reaching us we had an obligation to keep

reaching us we had an obligation to keep

reaching us we had an obligation to keep each other safe keep calm and carry on

each other safe keep calm and carry on

each other safe keep calm and carry on only works if most of us carry on and at

only works if most of us carry on and at

only works if most of us carry on and at least some of us keep calm while few

least some of us keep calm while few

least some of us keep calm while few states still practice the civil defense

states still practice the civil defense

states still practice the civil defense that we associate with the Second World

that we associate with the Second World

that we associate with the Second World War the drills of the Cold War the

War the drills of the Cold War the

War the drills of the Cold War the principles and means of uniting an

principles and means of uniting an

principles and means of uniting an entire population to face war or to face

entire population to face war or to face

entire population to face war or to face danger that underline is developments

danger that underline is developments

danger that underline is developments continue to overshadow our lives in a

continue to overshadow our lives in a

continue to overshadow our lives in a post-911 world all of us are vulnerable

post-911 world all of us are vulnerable

post-911 world all of us are vulnerable to attack and so all of us have been

to attack and so all of us have been

to attack and so all of us have been enlisted in an effort to keep society

enlisted in an effort to keep society

enlisted in an effort to keep society safe from the signs and public transit

safe from the signs and public transit

safe from the signs and public transit and in every major airport that asks us

and in every major airport that asks us

and in every major airport that asks us to be aware of and report suspicious

to be aware of and report suspicious

to be aware of and report suspicious parcels and behavior we live with

parcels and behavior we live with

parcels and behavior we live with visible reminders that even in our

visible reminders that even in our

visible reminders that even in our modern wars against terrorism and less

modern wars against terrorism and less

modern wars against terrorism and less visible non-state agents the expectation

visible non-state agents the expectation

visible non-state agents the expectation that the ordinary man woman and child

that the ordinary man woman and child

that the ordinary man woman and child must calmly face risks is one of the

must calmly face risks is one of the

must calmly face risks is one of the most important legacies of this

most important legacies of this

most important legacies of this transformation

transformation

transformation keep calm and carry on has become a

keep calm and carry on has become a

keep calm and carry on has become a shorthand for do not live in fear or do

shorthand for do not live in fear or do

shorthand for do not live in fear or do not let fear stop you from living as

not let fear stop you from living as

not let fear stop you from living as individuals we’ve become deputized

individuals we’ve become deputized

individuals we’ve become deputized agents of the state responsible as best

agents of the state responsible as best

agents of the state responsible as best we can for helping each other survive

we can for helping each other survive

we can for helping each other survive this can be do alleged we’re being

this can be do alleged we’re being

this can be do alleged we’re being taught or asked to be suspicious and

taught or asked to be suspicious and

taught or asked to be suspicious and attentive to danger but this could also

attentive to danger but this could also

attentive to danger but this could also mean using our prejudices or bias

mean using our prejudices or bias

mean using our prejudices or bias scapegoating people and it’s certainly

scapegoating people and it’s certainly

scapegoating people and it’s certainly easy to criticize the simplicity of

easy to criticize the simplicity of

easy to criticize the simplicity of telling anyone in danger to just keep

telling anyone in danger to just keep

telling anyone in danger to just keep calm and carry on but the history behind

calm and carry on but the history behind

calm and carry on but the history behind this concept also means recognizing this

this concept also means recognizing this

this concept also means recognizing this sense of community that underlay it that

sense of community that underlay it that

sense of community that underlay it that we survive by keeping more or less calm

we survive by keeping more or less calm

we survive by keeping more or less calm and facing our fears together that we

and facing our fears together that we

and facing our fears together that we need a solidarity to carry on this is

need a solidarity to carry on this is

need a solidarity to carry on this is not new but it’s only about a hundred

not new but it’s only about a hundred

not new but it’s only about a hundred years old and it’s one of the first

years old and it’s one of the first

years old and it’s one of the first world wars most significant and

world wars most significant and

world wars most significant and forgotten legacies thank you

forgotten legacies thank you

forgotten legacies thank you [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] [Music]

you

you [Music]

”

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