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In America, the fairs offered the Dream. They displayed innovation, beauty, art. Showing what had never been done before, they displayed our success.
Throughout the late nineteenth century, and the first half of the twentieth century, many cities in the United States, as well as Europe, built large fair grounds and hosted international expositions to demonstrate and celebrate their success. Themes revolved around the idea of progress, whether it be that of the city, the United States, the World, or another group.
This website takes a deeper look into four world’s fairs: The Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, 1904, The Panama-California Exposition in San Diego, 1915, A Century of Progress International Exposition in Chicago, 1933, and the New York World's Fair in 1939. The first three articles outline the theme of technological and scientific progress of the early twentieth century, while the New York article describes the philosophical change of America in the late 30s and early 40s. Together they demonstrate the core values of early to mid twentieth century modern America.
In the 100 years after the Louisiana Purchase, America was optimistic. With the successful flight of the Wright Brothers and the invention of the car, electric lighting, movies, and the telephone, the country felt successful for their technological advancements. They celebrated western achievements in 1904 in St. Louis in the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Eleven years later, with the completion of the Panama Canal, San Diego held the Panama-California Exposition. Needing to boost its economy, the city was working to expand and increase its population of 40,000. San Diego was one of two expositions in 1915, as San Francisco held a similar exposition to celebrate the finishing of the canal. In 1933, in the midst of the depression, Chicago held a fair. Although it was mainly celebrating the centennial of the city, the exposition acted, more importantly, as a sign of hope. It displayed new industries and products to help move the country forward. Like that of St. Louis, the fair’s theme was based on optimism. That optimism, however, came in a dark time, much different than that of St. Louis. But the 1939 New York Exposition brought anxiety-- due to the escalation of World War II. Americans became focused on a vision of utopian life, but with little optimism.
Using these four examples, this website outlines America from 1904 through 1940. It takes a deeper look into the culture and views of the American people.
Throughout the late nineteenth century, and the first half of the twentieth century, many cities in the United States, as well as Europe, built large fair grounds and hosted international expositions to demonstrate and celebrate their success. Themes revolved around the idea of progress, whether it be that of the city, the United States, the World, or another group.
This website takes a deeper look into four world’s fairs: The Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, 1904, The Panama-California Exposition in San Diego, 1915, A Century of Progress International Exposition in Chicago, 1933, and the New York World's Fair in 1939. The first three articles outline the theme of technological and scientific progress of the early twentieth century, while the New York article describes the philosophical change of America in the late 30s and early 40s. Together they demonstrate the core values of early to mid twentieth century modern America.
In the 100 years after the Louisiana Purchase, America was optimistic. With the successful flight of the Wright Brothers and the invention of the car, electric lighting, movies, and the telephone, the country felt successful for their technological advancements. They celebrated western achievements in 1904 in St. Louis in the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. Eleven years later, with the completion of the Panama Canal, San Diego held the Panama-California Exposition. Needing to boost its economy, the city was working to expand and increase its population of 40,000. San Diego was one of two expositions in 1915, as San Francisco held a similar exposition to celebrate the finishing of the canal. In 1933, in the midst of the depression, Chicago held a fair. Although it was mainly celebrating the centennial of the city, the exposition acted, more importantly, as a sign of hope. It displayed new industries and products to help move the country forward. Like that of St. Louis, the fair’s theme was based on optimism. That optimism, however, came in a dark time, much different than that of St. Louis. But the 1939 New York Exposition brought anxiety-- due to the escalation of World War II. Americans became focused on a vision of utopian life, but with little optimism.
Using these four examples, this website outlines America from 1904 through 1940. It takes a deeper look into the culture and views of the American people.