History Behind Survivalists
How did it start?
Started as a group of mostly men that were known as anti-government. Religious beliefs and the fear of nuclear warfare spurred the idea that one must be prepared for disaster. Through the 1950's (Cuban Missile Crisis) schools and other public places had nuclear bomb drills just in case there was an attack. During the same decade, people were encouraged by the government to build bomb shelters. After the y2k incident in the 90's, many people began to think that something tragic would happen to the world and caused an increase interest in survivalism. Gradually more people began to follow (Bennette 1). In the 1970's the term survivalists started being used to describe these people. John Pugsley published The Alpha Strategy which has become a sort of book of rules for the survivalists. The book includes information such as stockpiling food and how to protect against economic downturns (Wikipedia 1). There is no specific element that can be contribute to the increase in survivalists but they may include: media, internet, disease outbreaks such as the swine flue, recent terror attacks such as 9/11, recent natural disasters, and a bad economic state (Bennette 1).
What are they Preparing for?
Include but not limited to: a massive solar eruption, waterwars, the collapse of the world's economy, apocalyptic end to the world or even old-fashioned nuclear Armageddon (Doomsdayers 2012 1).
Who are the Survivalists?
There are two general groups that people can be categorized as within the idea of survivalism:
Preppers :Normal people that believe that a tragic and possibly catastrophic event is going to occur. are people that prepare for the end of the world by gathering emergency items and being prepared for anything.
Survivalists: More extreme preppers that build self sufficient underground shelters and more advance ways of protecting themselves. Practice outdoor skills such as camping and hunting specifically to prepare for the end of the world (Bennetter 1).
Started as a group of mostly men that were known as anti-government. Religious beliefs and the fear of nuclear warfare spurred the idea that one must be prepared for disaster. Through the 1950's (Cuban Missile Crisis) schools and other public places had nuclear bomb drills just in case there was an attack. During the same decade, people were encouraged by the government to build bomb shelters. After the y2k incident in the 90's, many people began to think that something tragic would happen to the world and caused an increase interest in survivalism. Gradually more people began to follow (Bennette 1). In the 1970's the term survivalists started being used to describe these people. John Pugsley published The Alpha Strategy which has become a sort of book of rules for the survivalists. The book includes information such as stockpiling food and how to protect against economic downturns (Wikipedia 1). There is no specific element that can be contribute to the increase in survivalists but they may include: media, internet, disease outbreaks such as the swine flue, recent terror attacks such as 9/11, recent natural disasters, and a bad economic state (Bennette 1).
What are they Preparing for?
Include but not limited to: a massive solar eruption, waterwars, the collapse of the world's economy, apocalyptic end to the world or even old-fashioned nuclear Armageddon (Doomsdayers 2012 1).
Who are the Survivalists?
There are two general groups that people can be categorized as within the idea of survivalism:
Preppers :Normal people that believe that a tragic and possibly catastrophic event is going to occur. are people that prepare for the end of the world by gathering emergency items and being prepared for anything.
Survivalists: More extreme preppers that build self sufficient underground shelters and more advance ways of protecting themselves. Practice outdoor skills such as camping and hunting specifically to prepare for the end of the world (Bennetter 1).