Alaska, the 49th state (1958)

This propaganda map, created by Robert M. Chapin, was published in TIME magazine on 9 June 1958.

The date of publication of this map is significant, as it comes to light after decades of debate over Alaska's territorial status. On 7 July 1958, one month after the publication of this map, the United States Congress would accept Alaska's statehood, officially becoming the 49th state on 3 January 1959.

On the map, Chapin shows the strategic importance of Alaska, with several noteworthy details:

• Aircraft are used to mark the air bases of the United States and the Soviet Union.
• Missiles show the bases from which Soviet and American missiles could be launched.
• An anchor appears alongside the naval bases of both powers.
• The Dew Line is marked in green in the Arctic region. This was the area of the Arctic Ocean monitored by radar and connected to an early warning system to detect the entry of potential bombers.

This map must be understood within the context of the Cold War and without losing sight of the strong anti-communist sentiment of Henry Luce, the editor of TIME magazine.

Sources

• Alaska – Cornell University Library