The Forgotten Histories of U.S. Overseas Territories: Colonial Legacies and Modern Struggles
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When people think of the United States, they often picture the 50 states or perhaps Puerto Rico. But beyond these well-known territories lie smaller, often overlooked islands—American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and several uninhabited atolls. These territories, scattered across the Pacific and the Caribbean, hold complex histories of colonization, militarization, and resistance.
In an era where global conversations revolve around decolonization, climate change, and indigenous rights, the stories of these islands remain largely untold. This blog explores their past, their present struggles, and their uncertain futures.
The U.S. overseas territories were acquired through a mix of war, purchase, and annexation:
Unlike states, these territories have limited political representation. Their residents cannot vote in presidential elections unless they move to the mainland, and their congressional delegates have no voting power.
The U.S. has long viewed its territories as strategic military assets:
Military presence has brought economic benefits but also environmental destruction and cultural disruption.
Many territories grapple with their political status:
Island territories are on the frontlines of climate change:
Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, these islands bear the brunt of environmental collapse.
Colonization has eroded indigenous languages and traditions:
The U.S. often portrays itself as a champion of democracy, yet its territories remain in a legal limbo—neither fully independent nor fully integrated. As global movements push for decolonization and climate justice, these islands demand attention.
Will the U.S. finally address its colonial legacy? Or will these territories continue to be forgotten? Their histories, struggles, and resilience remind us that empire never truly ended—it merely changed form.
Further Reading & Resources:
- How to Hide an Empire by Daniel Immerwahr
- The Dispossessed by John Pilger (on Diego Garcia)
- Documentaries: Island Soldier (on Micronesians serving in the U.S. military), War for the Flatlands (on Vieques)
This is just the beginning of the conversation. What role should the U.S. play in its territories’ futures? Share your thoughts below.