AP+2016+1893+World’s+Fair

1893 World's Fair Nicolina Nguyen Aim: The 1893 World’s Fair, otherwise known as the World’s Columbian Exposition, was created for the purpose of celebrating the discovery of the New World and to boost the economy. According to “7 Things You May Not Know About the 1893 Chicago’s World’s Fair,” “The fair, ostensibly meant to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ first voyage to the New World, served as a showcase for a fully rebuilt and vibrant Chicago” (Maranzani). This fair contained over 200 buildings across 600 acres. The 1893 World’s Fair was a place where many major commercial products were discovered by consumers. The fair also served as a melting pot for countries and the states, as 50 countries and 43 states took a part in the event. This allowed fairgoers to experience different cultures and learn about the history of other countries. With the discovery of the New World, it has brought many different people of different countries, race, and religion. This fair celebrated what was created in America from the individuals from all around the world. Audience: The 1893 World’s Fair appealed to many citizens of the U.S., to celebrate the history of America, as well as to discover new commercial products. According to “World’s Columbian Exposition,” “It lifted the spirits of over 20 million people who paid to visit the exposition just as the Panic of 1893 hit” (Rydell). Chicago used the 1893 World’s Fair to showcase its reconstruction after the Chicago Fire of 1871. The fair contained many companies selling commercial products geared towards the American public. With the many countries and states participating, this exposition stimulated the economy and rose real-estate values. When debating what exhibits to display in the fair, a taxonomist, G. Brown Goode was consulted. Through his research, the fair displayed exhibits that represent American “civilization.” By representing American “civilization,” the World’s Columbian Exposition targeted the American citizens. Historical: During the time of the 1893 World’s Fair, many tragic events had taken place in America. Encyclopedia of Chicago states, “American political and economic leaders followed the example of their peers in Europe and turned increasingly to the medium of the world's fair to provide the cultural cement for their badly fragmented societies” (Rydell). Twenty two years before the World’s Columbian Exposition was held in Chicago, there was the Chicago Fire of 1871. Twenty eight years before the fair, the American Civil war had ended. After the conclusion of the fair, Chicago experienced more violence and death in the 1886 Haymarket Square bombing. The 1893 World’s Fair served as an attempt at lessening American conflict. The fair was a celebration of the discovery of the New World and the creation of America. While the fair succeeded in provided excitement within the American people, the fair ended while facing multiple tragedies, including a smallpox epidemic an assassination. Cultural: Through the advertising platform provided by the exposition, the 1893 World’s Fair had a significant impact on the meaning of American culture. The Encyclopedia of Chicago states, “The World's Columbian Exposition defined American culture. Its World's Congress Auxiliary presented lectures and discussions by prominent political activists and intellectuals about subjects as wide-ranging and pressing as religion and science, labor, and women's rights” (Rydell). During the six months that it was in operation, the 1893 World’s Fair hosted over 26 million visitors. Within the fair, 50 countries and 43 states participated, allowing the American public’s knowledge on the history and culture of around the world to be expanded. With this expansion of knowledge, it allowed Americans to further develop their culture. This large (600 acres) attraction provided a platform for companies as well as individuals to influence American citizens. It allowed individuals to speak out about controversial issues and spread their ideology. The fair also allowed companies to advertise their products, and it gave consumers a chance to experience new products and technology. The 1893 World’s Fair exposed the American public to many new experiences and ideas, impacting the essence of American culture.

Maranzani, Barbara. "7 Things You May Not Know About the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 01 May 2013. Web. 05 Jan. 2016. Rydell, Robert W. "World's Columbian Exposition." World's Columbian Exposition. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.