The display of 'otherness' at the Great Exhibition in 1851 and the national identity in Britain

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Essay from the year 2018 in the subject History of Europe - Modern Times, Absolutism, Industrialization, grade: 1,7, University of Sussex (School of History, Philosophy and Art History), language: English, abstract: On the 1st of May in 1851, the opening of the Great Exhibition marked the beginning of the creation of a corporal British identity which was drafted through dissociation from other foreign stereotypes. Although Prince Albert, head of the organising Royal Commission, wanted the Great Exhibition to create international family-like ties among the exhibiting states, it stressed the differences between those nations and supported rising nationalism instead. The very fact that the Royal Commission structured the exhibition into the United Kingdom, its colonies and foreign countries, revealed its focus on British instead of global achievements. However, as well as the exhibitions location, the manner in which it was presented is also of great significance, since it demonstrated superiority.

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