The trans-Mississippi exposition in Omaha is well-known for its unique architectural design and its electrical decorations. The exposition served as explanation of past and future nation and international expansion as the natural outcome of America's westward expansion and Anglo-Saxon racial development. The idea was originated from the demand of western states to overcome depression of 1893 with industrializing development just like Chicago did with its international fair. The most successful part of the Omaha fair was the Native American exhibition part. The exposition managers created a show called shame battle that reflected savagery of Indians and fighting skills which attracted many white fair-goers. The success of the Indian displays meant hardships to some Native Americans. Some died from the diseases, and some decided to take suicide, ridiculed by the show. By showing inferiority of the past and their savagery the fair tried to emphasize the progressive future and its advancement. Along with the Indian', lots of Chinese, Japanese, and Eastern people also participated in the fair. These people contributed to create imperial theme of the international exposition and created racial hierarchy. Omaha exposition received great success with President McKinley's support and by creating Children's Day to encourage number of children to attend its fair.
Key terms:
- Concomitant:a phenomenon that naturally accompanies or follows something.
- Improved Order of Red Man:it origins back to 1765 and is descended from the Sons of Liberty. These patriots concealed their identities and worked "underground" to help establish freedom and liberty in the early Colonies.
- Bureau of Indian Affair:responsible for administering the United State’s overall relationship with more than 500 tribes and Alaskan communities
Images:
Citations:
Rydell, Robert W. "The Trans-Mississippi and International Exposition, Omaha, 1898: " Concomitant to Empire"" In All the World's a Fair: Visions of Empire at American International Expositions, 1876-1916, P.105-125. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1984.
"Sham Battle - Indian Congress- No. 837 "1898"" EHumanity Cultural Item:. Accessed March 13, 2015. http://e-humanity.org/artifact.php?artifact_id=36718.
"Trans Mississippi & International Exposition." About the Trans Mississippi & International Exposition. January 1, 2014. Accessed March 13, 2015. http://www.omahapubliclibrary.org/transmiss/about/about.html.
Questions:
How did Native Indians felt about the participation in the exposition? Was it good opportunity to them or did they saw it as a threat?
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