Exposition Universelle (1900) - Background Information

Background Information

The birth of the first was fueled by a desire to re-establish pride and faith in each nation after a period of war . The succession of exhibitions followed in the same pattern; the regeneration of nationality after war . Eight years before the launch of the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle the Repbulic of France announced the exhibition to be one which welcomed and celebrated the coming of a new century . Countries from around the world were invited by France to showcase their achievements and lifestyles; the Exposition Universelle was a uniting and learning experience . It presented the opportunity for foreigners to realize the similarities between nations as well as the unique differences. New cultures were experienced and an overall better understanding of the values each country had to offer was gained. The learning atmosphere aided in the attempts to increase cultural tolerance, necessary after a period of war. The early announcement and the massively positive response disenchanted the interest that had been circling around the first German International Exposition . The support for the exhibition was widespread, countries immediately began to plan their exhibits, but despite the enthusiasm the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle was not a financial success as only two thirds of the expected public was in attendance . It is suspected that the Exposition Universelle did not do as financially well as expected because the general public did not have the funds to participate in the fair .