"Protection for All Citizens": Civil Defense and the Problem of Evacuating Missouri's Urban Centers during the Cold War, 1950-1970.

The article explores the challenges and complexities of civil defense and evacuation planning in Missouri during the Cold War. It discusses the shifting federal civil defense policies and the debates surrounding the best strategies for protecting citizens in the event of a nuclear war. The article also examines the social and economic realities of local communities and the impact of civil defense policies on different populations. It highlights the role of private citizens and communities in civil defense efforts, as well as the economic opportunities that arose from these initiatives. The text emphasizes the use of underground spaces, such as caves and mines, for civil defense purposes, including storage and fallout shelters. It also mentions the involvement of cave owners and unions in civil defense efforts. [Extracted from the article]