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The dangers of carelessness were
a constant theme throughout wartime posters: the dangers
of throwing away unlit cigarettes; thoughtless fuel
consumption; and wastage of scarce goods. The biggest
campaign, however, that was addressed in many different
ways and styles throughout the war by the government
was the campaigns against rumour and 'careless talk'.
This chapter focuses in on the campaign and the concepts
associated with it, such as the 'Fifth Column', which
became the 'Silent Column'. Although a phrase largely
associated with the Cold War, the term 'the enemy within'
is clearly evident in the careless talk campaigns.
The chapter considers the growth
of modern communication measures that meant that 'careless
talk' was more dangerous. The chapter considers the
place of spies within a war, although there is not
necessarily an obvious representation of spies in
posters - as the idea was that they were indistinguishable
from 'normal' folk. The chapter considers the fears
of a 'Fifth Column', a phrase born in the Spanish
Civil War. In 1940, many were interned because of
fears of spies, we look at the previous history of
internment, and the process of internment in 1940.
Various aspects of the 'careless talk' campaign are
considered.
Further books need to be added to this section,
and the summary needs to be updated.
See PhD
Proposal and Bibliography
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