Suburban Empire: Cold War Militarization in the US Pacific

Suburban Empire explores how the US military controlled the Marshall Islands and how the displacement of indigenous Marshallese people mirrors the segregation and spatial politics of the mainland US. It reveals that Cold War-era suburbanization was congruent with US colonization, military testing, and nuclear fallout, cloaking the destructive history of control and militarism under a veil of small-town innocence.

Format: Hardback
Length: 386 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

Suburban Empire transports readers to the United States missile base located at Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, a pivotal hub of postwar US imperial expansion, the Cold War nuclear arms race, and the global waves of anti-colonial movements. Through meticulous research, Hirshberg demonstrates that the displacement of indigenous Marshallese within Kwajalein Atoll reflects the segregation and spatial politics of the mainland US, as local and global iterations of the US empire took hold. By tracing the navigation of Marshall Islanders amidst US military control over their lands, Suburban Empire unveils the striking congruence between Cold War-era suburbanization and US colonization, military testing, and nuclear fallout. The architectural structures of suburban segregation cleverly concealed the destructive legacy of control and militarism beneath the façade of small-town innocence.

Suburban Empire: The US Missile Base at Kwajalein Atoll

In the Marshall Islands, nestled within the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, lies the US missile base at Kwajalein Atoll. This strategic location, at the crossroads of postwar US imperial expansion, the Cold War nuclear arms race, and the global tides of anti-colonial struggles, holds a profound significance in understanding the complex dynamics of power and control. Author Michael Hirshberg delves into the intricate tapestry of this remote island paradise, shedding light on the displacement of indigenous Marshallese and the eerie parallels between the segregation and spatial politics of the mainland US and the Kwajalein Atoll.

Hirshberg's meticulously researched book, Suburban Empire, takes readers on a captivating journey through the history and politics of this remote US outpost. He reveals how the displacement of indigenous Marshallese within Kwajalein Atoll mirrors the segregation and spatial politics of the mainland US, as local and global iterations of the US empire took hold. The book explores the ways in which Marshall Islanders navigated the complex web of US military control over their lands, navigating the challenges and complexities of living under the shadow of the US military presence.

Through his detailed analysis, Hirshberg demonstrates that Cold War-era suburbanization was not just a mere coincidence but rather a perfect congruence with US colonization, military testing, and nuclear fallout. The structures of suburban segregation, with their neat rows of houses and well-manicured lawns, cloaked the destructive history of control and militarism under a veil of small-town innocence. Suburban Empire sheds light on the ways in which these seemingly idyllic suburban communities were in fact sites of profound power and influence, shaping the course of history and leaving a lasting impact on the lives of those who called them home.

In conclusion, Suburban Empire is a thought-provoking and essential read for anyone interested in understanding the complex interplay of power, history, and geography. Through his meticulous research and insightful analysis, Michael Hirshberg provides a powerful lens through which to examine the legacies of US imperialism and the ongoing struggles for autonomy and self-determination in the Pacific region. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the world we live in today.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520289154