Yes that would have been really embarrassing, not just Chicago but America as a whole. It would have really hurt the idea of american superiority that was developing during the time period.
Although it is possible the image of the country would have suffered, it is unlikely that it would mean anything more than an inability to "out Eiffel Eiffel." US industrial production was rapidly growing and surpassed both German and British outputs, and the products that were introduced during the fair would have made their way to consumers eventually. The actual economic growth and potential on a global scale were not dependent on the success of the fair. The "captains of industry" and all other driving corporations did not rely on the event to continue business. Hector
I agree with Hector that the failure of the Columbian Exposition would have crushed the image of our country and our pride. However, it would not decimate the entire nation. The country was already enduring tough economic problems during this period-the fair would not be able to completely remove these problems nor would its failure destroy the nation. It was largely an issue regarding the public image of the country.
I think it would have pretty devastating effect if the fair was built and turned out to be a dismal failure. First of all that money that was put into the fair would be lost. Second, there would be a giant decline in national pride. All of these could cause the economy to crash. And it would piss of the rich people who basically control the country. It would also disperse the respect that other countries were starting to have toward us.
After all of the hype created by newspapers and other media, a failure would have been humiliating for Chicago and the U.S. itself. This is especially considering the fact that many doubted that it could have been successful from the beginning, including most of the New York architects. The greatness of the Eiffel tower would most likely have been seen as unsurpassable.
Yes that would have been really embarrassing, not just Chicago but America as a whole. It would have really hurt the idea of american superiority that was developing during the time period.
ReplyDeleteAlthough it is possible the image of the country would have suffered, it is unlikely that it would mean anything more than an inability to "out Eiffel Eiffel." US industrial production was rapidly growing and surpassed both German and British outputs, and the products that were introduced during the fair would have made their way to consumers eventually. The actual economic growth and potential on a global scale were not dependent on the success of the fair. The "captains of industry" and all other driving corporations did not rely on the event to continue business.
ReplyDeleteHector
I agree with Hector that the failure of the Columbian Exposition would have crushed the image of our country and our pride. However, it would not decimate the entire nation. The country was already enduring tough economic problems during this period-the fair would not be able to completely remove these problems nor would its failure destroy the nation. It was largely an issue regarding the public image of the country.
ReplyDeleteI think it would have pretty devastating effect if the fair was built and turned out to be a dismal failure. First of all that money that was put into the fair would be lost. Second, there would be a giant decline in national pride. All of these could cause the economy to crash. And it would piss of the rich people who basically control the country. It would also disperse the respect that other countries were starting to have toward us.
ReplyDeleteAfter all of the hype created by newspapers and other media, a failure would have been humiliating for Chicago and the U.S. itself. This is especially considering the fact that many doubted that it could have been successful from the beginning, including most of the New York architects. The greatness of the Eiffel tower would most likely have been seen as unsurpassable.
ReplyDelete