1893 World's Columbian Exposition: 9/22

The World's Columbian Exposition of 1893: A Watershed Moment

The Dawn of a Transitional Era

• The late 19th and early 20th centuries marked a transitional era, characterized by a mix of confusion, fragmentation, and hopes, foreshadowing significant changes.

• The World's Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago in 1893, is viewed by historians as a pivotal watershed moment that both reflected the past and hinted at the future.

• This exposition served as a microcosm, showcasing all the major topics of the semester while also introducing themes for future discussions.

The Closing Frontier and the Rise of Urban-Industrial America

• Frederick Jackson Turner's Thesis: Influenced by the 1890 Census Bureau announcement that the American frontier no longer existed, Frederick Jackson Turner delivered his seminal essay, "The Significance of the Frontier in American History."

  • He argued the frontier was central to American development and that its closing marked the end of the first period of American history.

  • Turner sensed a profound shift, suggesting Americans were