Can someone explain the significance/relevance of the Fifth Column in Bradbury's "Zero Hour".

Thanks.

From on-line Encyclopedia Britannica:

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fifth column
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clandestine group or faction of subversive agents who attempt to undermine a nation's solidarity by any means at their disposal. The term is credited to Emilio Mola Vidal, a Nationalist general during the Spanish Civil War (1936�39). As four of his army columns moved on Madrid, the general referred to his militant supporters within the capital as his �fifth column,� intent on�"

In this case, the aliens are using children to undermine the earth.

Also, Heminway wrote a play called "The Fifth Column" about the Spanish Civil War, and Bradbury has always been clear that he loves Hemingway's writing.

There are two starts for you.

How relevant that topic seems to our country today! Sept. 11, changing the wording in texts, eliminating public traditions, altering long accepted social mores,......

RB does it again. If we had only seen it coming sooner!