There were 3 exhibitions mentioned that took place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The Franco-British Exhibition of 1908 took place outside of central London in an area called “White City”. Its goal was to tout the success of Britain’s imperialism. Two colonial villages were set up to represent Ireland and Senegal. 150 Senegalese were brought in to the exhibit to take part in a “living village”. Daily activities in their life in Senegal were portrayed. It is interesting that some Olympic events took place in White City in 1908.
Another important exhibition occurred in Wembley Park from 1924-25 for 2 seasons. This was the British Empire Exhibition. 56 British territories were involved in exhibits. A stadium was built (called Wembley Stadium) for music performances, rugby matches, a rodeo and other events during the exhibition. Pavilions were constructed for each colony to display their goods. Palaces were built to showcase advances in British engineering (ie. trains), industry and the arts, and government. The goal of the exhibition was to stimulate trade and strengthen bonds between Britain and the colonies, plus learn more about each other. The exhibition over the 2 seasons was a financial flop. It did not continue after 1925. The only reminders of these events is Wembley Stadium (although the current stadium is not the original building) and some music written by Edward Elgar for the occasion (Empire March, Pageant of Empire and Crown of India).
Earl’s Court in London was another exhibition site from 1887-1914. It was a 24 acre site that included the 2 story Empress Theater and a 300 foot high Ferris wheel. In 1895 was an exhibition at this location called the “ Empire of India Exhibition “ and featured exhibits, food and shows about India. The impresario Imre Kiralfy wrote a show with dance, mime and songs about India’s history from 1024-1895. It was performed at the Empress Theater to great success. Over the years from 1887-1914 many exhibitions took place on this site and covered many topics, not only India. In 2014 demolition of buildings on this site started.
Below is a photo from the museum featuring the White City and Wembley Park exhibitions.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the "Representation of the People Act of 1918". All men over 21 could vote in the constituency where they were resident. Women over 30 could vote, but only if they were "registered property occupiers" (or married to one) of land with a value greater than £5. This act was a great improvement over previous voting conditions for women. The Museum of London is honoring this anniversary with an enhanced exhibit on women's suffrage in England. In 1903 the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) was founded by Emmeline Pankhurst and her 2 daughters. It was a militant women's suffragette group that organized protest marches and committed acts of violence against property (arson, smashing windows, vandalizing homes and churches). They were trying to draw attention to their cause of a woman's right to vote. By being in the news and the newspapers they felt they would continue ro remind others of women's rights and voting inequality. It was an attention-seeking method. Many of the women who belonged to this group were arrested and sent to prison. There they went on hunger strikes and were tortured with forced feedings (physically restrained while force fed liquid through a nasal or stomach tube). Eventually the "Cat and Mouse Act" was made law in 1913. This stated that women who were weak in prison due to malnourishment could go home to recover. However if they resurfaced as healthy beings outside of their homes, they were subject to arrest again and sent back to prison. In 1928 the voting laws changed again and allowed all men and women over the age of 21 to vote.
Below is a description of one of the militant suffragettes. She endured a lot.
One brave woman!
I highly recommend the Museum of London and their exhibits. I always learn a lot there.
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