History 2186A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: The Panic Broadcast, Percival Lowell, Voodoo Macbeth
4 Apr 2016
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1% of na surveyed believed they had been vicims of alien abducion. Brief history of fear of invasion: comes through popular culture in late 19th century, typically always came from mars, 1870s big change. Astronomers announced they had discovered water on mars. Enough to generate public interest: began speculaion that mars was inhabited. Percival lowell astronomer: published in 1890s/1910s series of books of what life could be/was on. Mars: hypothesis was that mars was dying planet, inhabitants had built series of canals to bring water from polar icecaps to ciies. Created controversy: gained friends in general public, not scieniic community. Wells briish novelist: inspired by lowell to write novel on subject. Lecture 9: space invasion, marian atacks, and alien abducions: 1897 war of the worlds. Based on scenario in which invaders from mars atack planet. Fits in w/ invasion scare novels: was interested in defensive expenditures against germans. Wanted gov"t to spend more $ on defence.
