Throughout history, nations that have been under martial law have gotten a lot of flak. Martial law has this negative connotation leading many to be horrified of the thought. In fact, some people have taken to preparing to survive martial law in case things get that bad in the country.
This was the case for Poland and the Philippines, to name a few. These countries were placed under martial law by Wojciech Jaruzelski and Ferdinand Marcos, respectively. Both are considered as some of the darkest periods in their respective histories. In Poland, 91 people were killed while thousands were jailed in a two-year period. The Philippines suffered through 14 years of martial rule under Marcos. The dictator, his family and cronies used the opportunity to usurp the Asian country of its sources. Even worse, more than 3,000 people were killed while at least 35,000 were tortured during his regime.
Some of you may be surprised to know that the United States has had experience with martial law but not to the same extent as in other countries. No president has ever declared martial law over the whole country. However, some states have been under martial rule at one time or another throughout the course of history. New Orleans was placed under martial law in 1812 by then General and later President Andrew Jackson. Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus and declared martial law in Kentucky back in 1864. In 1961, Alabama Governor and Ku Klux Klan-backed John Malcolm Patterson imposed martial law over the state after he accused the peaceful Freedom Riders, who rode buses to protest racial segregation, of causing “lawlessness and mob action.”
Nothing has come close since then, which is a good thing. However, that doesn’t mean Americans should remain complacent. You should start thinking about prepping and studying ways to survive martial law and other such trivial events.
What to Expect During Martial Law
Martial law is implemented for different reasons. One is due to insurrection and rebellion, which Marcos used to justify his actions. Other reasons include uncontrollable protests and riots, state of war, and natural disasters.
After Hurricane Katrina hit the country, many thought martial law was imposed on New Orleans. This wasn’t the case but it was a good example of an instance martial law could have been declared.
If a state or the whole country is placed under martial law, expect some of your rights to be taken away. These include the right for information, freedom of expression, right to privacy, right to make choices, and the right of habeas corpus. The last one simply means you can be arrested without a warrant.
How to Survive Martial Law
Be Self-Sufficient
Life will not be normal under martial law so it would be wise not to depend on others for your basic needs. It may be quite difficult to go out just to buy food, water and other necessities. Depending on the military for your needs is also not advised since rations will be likely limited.
You must stock up on supplies even before the subtlest hint of martial law. In fact, you should start prepping whether there is a threat or not. You need at least a month’s worth of supplies. However, if martial law lasts for more than that, you’ll find it pretty difficult to survive. Simply put, start hoarding now and stock up on as much supplies as possible.
You will need to treat yourself for any medical condition. Going to the doctor may be risky and it’s unlikely you’ll get any medical help when it’s needed. You need a fully-equipped first aid kit as well as a little knowhow on treating different medical emergencies.
Learn to Barter
Bartering may become more important than actual money in a societal collapse or a military-led regime. You need to hoard stuff that will fetch a great price in the market.
Alcoholic beverages, medicines, cigarettes, chocolates, water and ammunition are the most likely to be bartered.
Source of Power
Self-sufficiency is not just about having food to eat and water to drink. You also need your own power source so you can function as normal as possible.
Portable generators may be an option if you can minimize the noise they create. A better way to generate electricity is through solar panels.
Build A Bunker
You need a place to keep all your booty. The kitchen pantry may not be enough to hold all the supplies you’ll need. If you have the means, you can build an underground bunker. This will serve more than one purpose.
First, you’ll have ample space to store lots of food, water, gear, weapons and ammunition. Second, it’s a place you can hide if things get really bad outside. Make sure your bunker is sturdy enough to withstand an earthquake, flooding, and a nuclear attack.
Avoid Hot Spots
Once martial law is declared, your first order of business should be to get everyone home. If you’re at work, call your family, grab your get home bag, and pick them up if necessary, before heading to your home.
You should avoid going out. If you really have to, stay away from places where protesters are likely to convene. If you happen to be one of the protesters, you should be doubly careful with your every move. If you’re a family man or woman hell bent on protecting your loved ones, your priority should be to stay home with them.
Obey the Rules
There will be a set of rules to be implemented during martial law. You may not agree with all of them but you should learn to obey if you want to survive martial law. One of the most likely rules is a curfew. Make sure you get home before the curfew. You don’t want to be apprehended by the authorities just because you had a craving for a White Castle burger in the middle of the night.
Stay Up-To-Date
You’ll be staying in your home or bunker for most of the time if you wish to survive martial law. You need a way to communicate with the outside world. TV and radio stations may be prevented from telling the real news by the government. You should still have them at home though you have to take the news with a grain of salt. You will, however, learn of any rule changes from these government broadcasts so you still should tune in to them.
A better option is to have those old radios your parents or grandparents used to have. Use HAM and CB radios to communicate with other people and get some real off-the-grid news. Each member of your should also have walkie talkies so you can talk with each other even if you get separated.
You should also have hand-crank and battery-operated radios. Make sure you stock up on batteries.
Defend Your Home
Your home should be a fortress. No one can get in unless you let them. Fortify your home by installing locks, window grills, and alarms.
The military will likely confiscate all firearms. It’s not a good idea to let them have your guns. Hide them, well so you have something to use if you need to protect your family or if you have to fight back.
In case your guns are confiscated, your next option is to defend yourself with hand-to-hand combat. It’s about time you and your family learn some martial arts or hand-to-hand combat skills.
Be Prepared to Bug Out
You’ll never know how safe it will be during martial law. But in case things take a turn for the worse, you should be ready to leave your home to find a safer location. You necessarily don’t have to join the rebellion since your ultimate goal here for you and your loved ones is to survive.
Prepare bug out bags for each of you. You must have food, water, supplies, and survival gear in each grab bag. Make sure you can sustain yourselves for at least 72 hours.
You will also need extra clothes, weather-appropriate clothes, sturdy footwear, poncho, emergency or thermal blankets, fire starters (matches, lighter, and magnesium flints), flashlight, hand-crank radio, extra batteries, compass, phone, maps, and cooking equipment.
Other survival gear you should pack include paracord, whistle, signal mirror, knife, multitool, and a weapon with extra ammunition. Of course, you won’t be packing guns in your little one’s BOBs. If your child is big enough, you should teach him or her how to handle a knife so they can pack one in their bag.
Stay Calm
Finally, you should stay calm if you wish to survive martial law. Not everyone who imposes martial law is out to abuse his or her power. While that much power can be tempting, there are those who stay true to the value of serving and helping their constituents. This is the case for martial law declared in the event of a natural disaster.
There will be cases of rioting and chaos after a disaster strikes. The government, local or otherwise, may feel the need to ask the military for help. If this is the case, you have nothing to worry about. Stay calm, obey what the authorities tell you to do, and survive martial law.
You can find numerous articles on The Gentleman Pirate, which talk about surviving such chaotic circumstances such as martial law. You will also be introduced to items you may need to survive martial law.
One such skill necessary to survive martial law and other chaotic situation is self defense. As mentioned earlier, you must know how to defend yourself against unscrupulous military people and other people out to cause trouble. Instaselfdfense.com will help you learn various ways to fend off attackers. Such skill will not only be useful during martial law but also in your everyday life.
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