IMPACT OF THE FAIR
The Columbian Exposition had many aspects contributing to it's impact on The United States as well as the world.
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Cultural Impact
The fair linked people from all over the U.S. and the world. Though the city was known as "The White City" from it's architecture, not the people, as the fair approached, the "whiteness" of the city became more and more offensive to "colored" americans. As African Americans saw it as a chance to show the world their developments in technology, the all white committee of the fair rejected most requests. In response to the outraged black contributors to the fair, a "colored american day" was set aside. This aided the influence of the nation-wide acceptance of the future "Separate but Equal" clause of 1896.
The fair had such an impact on vendors from around the world that many of them moved to California permanently, instead of going home to their home country. (After The Fair, 1893)
The fair linked people from all over the U.S. and the world. Though the city was known as "The White City" from it's architecture, not the people, as the fair approached, the "whiteness" of the city became more and more offensive to "colored" americans. As African Americans saw it as a chance to show the world their developments in technology, the all white committee of the fair rejected most requests. In response to the outraged black contributors to the fair, a "colored american day" was set aside. This aided the influence of the nation-wide acceptance of the future "Separate but Equal" clause of 1896.
The fair had such an impact on vendors from around the world that many of them moved to California permanently, instead of going home to their home country. (After The Fair, 1893)
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Americanization of the World
The fair was a way for America to show the world the astounding technology America had to offer, especially impressing fair goers with electricity. With the presence of Thomas Edison, Brush, Western Electric, and Westinghouse, the electricity innovations were a sight to be seen in 1893. These notable electricity displays included a double-stopper lightbulb, motors, generators, switchboards, and many more innovations. Pumping 15 million dollars in to the fair, the U.S. was determined to make an impression on attendees. With the unveiling of other American inventions and products such as the early zipper (like on a jacket), the ferris wheel, juicy fruit gum, Cracker Jacks, Pabst Bleu Ribbon and more, the fair really show'd what can be done with technology, and helped the U.S. become an innovative force to be reckoned with.
The fair was a way for America to show the world the astounding technology America had to offer, especially impressing fair goers with electricity. With the presence of Thomas Edison, Brush, Western Electric, and Westinghouse, the electricity innovations were a sight to be seen in 1893. These notable electricity displays included a double-stopper lightbulb, motors, generators, switchboards, and many more innovations. Pumping 15 million dollars in to the fair, the U.S. was determined to make an impression on attendees. With the unveiling of other American inventions and products such as the early zipper (like on a jacket), the ferris wheel, juicy fruit gum, Cracker Jacks, Pabst Bleu Ribbon and more, the fair really show'd what can be done with technology, and helped the U.S. become an innovative force to be reckoned with.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/4/5/26454523/5136426.jpg?442)
Economic Impact
With the fair being so huge, positions needed to be filled to help maintain and run the event. Thousands of jobs were offered to all ethnicities; ranging from waiters, janitors, and other laborers. Overall though, Chicago benefitted tremendously. The revenue generated from the event was used to remodel the city and landscapes. The previously "swampy" Jackson park was remodeled in to a more natural, eye-pleasing appearance.
The fair not only produced a great deal of revenue for Chicago, but also for the numerous vendors that took part at the fair. According to The Evening Bulletin 1893, many vendors even stayed an extra two weeks after the fair was over with because so many people kept coming back, and essentially, squeezing every last drop of revenue out of consumers. The city was not eager to kick out vendors either.
With the fair being so huge, positions needed to be filled to help maintain and run the event. Thousands of jobs were offered to all ethnicities; ranging from waiters, janitors, and other laborers. Overall though, Chicago benefitted tremendously. The revenue generated from the event was used to remodel the city and landscapes. The previously "swampy" Jackson park was remodeled in to a more natural, eye-pleasing appearance.
The fair not only produced a great deal of revenue for Chicago, but also for the numerous vendors that took part at the fair. According to The Evening Bulletin 1893, many vendors even stayed an extra two weeks after the fair was over with because so many people kept coming back, and essentially, squeezing every last drop of revenue out of consumers. The city was not eager to kick out vendors either.
![Picture](/uploads/2/6/4/5/26454523/9822327.jpg?569)
City Beautiful Movement
The Columbian Exposition sparked a movement called "The City Beautiful Movement" throughout Chicago, and the rest of the world soon to follow. This included beautification of the cities and landscapes in order to create "moral and civic virtue" among the communities (Bluestone, 245). Chicago and the World's Fair was the first city to spark this movement.
The Columbian Exposition sparked a movement called "The City Beautiful Movement" throughout Chicago, and the rest of the world soon to follow. This included beautification of the cities and landscapes in order to create "moral and civic virtue" among the communities (Bluestone, 245). Chicago and the World's Fair was the first city to spark this movement.
Musical Firsts
Often overlooked, the World's Fair had numerous musical firsts along with it's technical innovations. After his performance at the exposition, Joseph Douglass went on to become the first African-American violinest to tour across the United States. Along with him, other musical firsts include the first music from Indonesia presented in the U.S., an increased awareness in Hawaiian music, and the first concert of early American music was presented by the Stoughtan Musical Society.
Often overlooked, the World's Fair had numerous musical firsts along with it's technical innovations. After his performance at the exposition, Joseph Douglass went on to become the first African-American violinest to tour across the United States. Along with him, other musical firsts include the first music from Indonesia presented in the U.S., an increased awareness in Hawaiian music, and the first concert of early American music was presented by the Stoughtan Musical Society.
Bibliography
"After the Fair." The Evening Bulletin, Volume XII editionNovember 01, 1893. http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87060190/1893-11-01/ed-1/seq-1/ (Primary Source)
Gilbert, Claire, and Stephanie Amerian. UCLA, "The World At The Fair." Accessed March 17, 2014. http://uclawce.ats.ucla.edu/global-main.
Robert, Rydell. Encyclopedia of Chicago, "World's Columbian Exposition." Accessed March 16, 2014. http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1386.html.
Reed, Christopher. Roosevelt University, "The World's Columbian Exposition of 1893." Last modified March 08, 1999. Accessed March 18, 2014. http://columbus.gl.iit.edu/reed2.html.
Hicks, Margaret. Chicago Elevated, "Inventions of The Columbian Exposition of 1893." Last modified March 18, 2010. Accessed March 18, 2014. http://www.chicagoelevated.com/2010/03/18/inventions-of-the-columbian-exposition-of-1893/.
Bluestone, Daniel. Columbia University, Detroit's City Beautiful and the Problem of Commerce Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, September 1988, Vol. XLVII, No. 3, pp. 245-62.
Gilbert, Claire, and Stephanie Amerian. UCLA, "The World At The Fair." Accessed March 17, 2014. http://uclawce.ats.ucla.edu/global-main.
Robert, Rydell. Encyclopedia of Chicago, "World's Columbian Exposition." Accessed March 16, 2014. http://encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org/pages/1386.html.
Reed, Christopher. Roosevelt University, "The World's Columbian Exposition of 1893." Last modified March 08, 1999. Accessed March 18, 2014. http://columbus.gl.iit.edu/reed2.html.
Hicks, Margaret. Chicago Elevated, "Inventions of The Columbian Exposition of 1893." Last modified March 18, 2010. Accessed March 18, 2014. http://www.chicagoelevated.com/2010/03/18/inventions-of-the-columbian-exposition-of-1893/.
Bluestone, Daniel. Columbia University, Detroit's City Beautiful and the Problem of Commerce Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, September 1988, Vol. XLVII, No. 3, pp. 245-62.