Imperial Material: National Symbols in the US Colonial Empire

Alvita Akiboh's book Imperial Material explores how US national identity has been shaped by imperial representations in territories such as the Philippines, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Guam, encoding relationships between territories and the empire. These symbolic objects became objects of local power, transmogrifying their original intent.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 10 November 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

Imperial Material: A Comprehensive History of Flags, Stamps, and Currency in the United States

The United States has a rich and complex history, marked by the use of flags, stamps, and currency as powerful symbols of national identity and imperial power. In her book, Imperial Material, Alvita Akiboh explores the intricate ways in which these symbolic objects have shaped and transformed US national identity over the course of centuries.

The book begins by tracing the origins of US imperialism, from the early colonial settlements to the expansion of the American empire. Akiboh demonstrates how the US government used flags, stamps, and currency to assert its authority and control over its territories, particularly during the period of territorial expansion.

One of the key themes of the book is the way in which these symbolic objects became objects of local power. Akiboh shows how territories such as the Philippines, the Hawaiian Islands, Puerto Rico, and Guam became entangled in the web of US imperialism, and how the inhabitants of these territories used these objects to assert their autonomy and identity.

For example, Akiboh discusses how the US dollar bill became a symbol of US economic power and influence in the Philippines. The peso, which was the currency of the Philippines at the time, was heavily influenced by US monetary policy, and the peso's value was often tied to the value of the US dollar. This led to a sense of dependency and vulnerability among Filipinos, as their economic fortunes were closely linked to those of the US empire.

Similarly, Akiboh explores how the fifty-star flag became a symbol of national pride and unity in Hawaii. The flag was adopted in 1959 after the state of Hawaii was admitted to the United States, and it quickly became a symbol of Hawaiian identity and resistance against US imperialism. The flag's fifty stars represented the fifty states of the United States, but they also represented the Hawaiian people's struggle for independence and self-determination.

Despite the power and influence of these symbolic objects, Akiboh argues that imperial territories were not always front and center for federal lawmakers and administrators. However, the inhabitants of these territories remained continuously aware of the imperial United States, whose presence announced itself on every bit of currency, every stamp, and the local flag.

Imperial Material is a fascinating and thought-provoking book that sheds light on the complex relationships between the United States and its territories. It provides a valuable insight into the ways in which national identity is created, challenged, and transformed through the use of symbolic objects, and it challenges readers to think critically about the role of empire in shaping modern history.

In conclusion, Imperial Material is a must-read for anyone interested in US history, imperialism, and the power of symbolic objects. Alvita Akiboh's book provides a comprehensive and nuanced analysis of the ways in which flags, stamps, and currency have shaped and transformed US national identity over the course of centuries, and it offers a valuable perspective on the ongoing legacy of empire in modern society.

Dimension: 229 x 152 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226828480