THE U.S. MILITARY AS GEOGRAPHICAL AGENT: THE CASE OF COLD WAR ALASKA

摘要

Alaska was strategically key to the U.S. defense plan during the cold war 1946-1989. As such; it was the scene of an enormous and sustained military investment; the effect of which was amplified by Alaska's undiversified economy; sparse development;small resident population; and marginalized political status at the beginning of the era. The strong military presence affected Alaskan demographics; economic development; and infrastructure and figured prominently in the admission of Alaska to the union in 1959. The high profile and long-term presence of the U.S. military had such a dramatic affect on the course of Alaska that the result was tantamount to a militarized landscape.