Cold War in a Cold Land: Fighting Communism on the Northern Plains

During the Cold War, most communists resided in Los Angeles or New York City, rather than in Minot, North Dakota. David W. Mills' book provides an enlightening look at what most of the heartland was up to while America was united in its war on Reds. The plains states responded less than enthusiastically to national anticommunist programs, but were highly churched and embraced federal attempts to use religion as a bulwark against atheistic communist ideology.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 312 pages
Publication date: 08 July 2021
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press

The Cold War, as it unfolded across the Great Plains, was not the same as the one experienced in American cities and coasts. Contrary to popular belief, midwestern isolationism did not significantly temper the conflict. In this book, David W. Mills provides an enlightening exploration of what the heartland was up to during America's war on Reds.

Marx himself had little faith in the ability of landholding farmers to become communist revolutionaries. Therefore, it is not surprising that in places like South Dakota, where 70 percent of the population owned land and worked for themselves, people did not take the threat of internal subversion very seriously. Mills delves into the historical record to demonstrate how residents of the plains states, while deeply patriotic and supportive of the nation's foreign policy, responded less than enthusiastically to national anticommunist programs. For instance, only South Dakota adopted a loyalty oath, which was fiercely opposed throughout the state. Only Montana, prompted by one state legislator, formed an investigation committee that never investigated anyone and was quickly disbanded.

Plains state people, however, were "highly churched" and enthusiastically embraced federal efforts to use religion as a bulwark against atheistic communist ideology. The Great Plains' response to the military buildup that accompanied Cold War politics was even more enthusiastic, as the construction of airbases and missile fields brought untold economic benefits to the region.

A much-needed, nuanced account of how average Americans lived and experienced the Cold War in the Great Plains is provided in Cold War in a Cold Land. This book sheds light on a critical chapter in American history, challenging prevailing narratives and providing a fresh perspective on a region often overlooked in studies of the Cold War.

Weight: 333g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780806169125