Reshaping The Image Of The British Empire-A Study On The Empire British Exhibition Of 1924-1925

Empire Exhibition became a perfect example of imperialism propagandizing since 1880s,because it had the function of showing comprehensive industry,connecting trade,exhibiting ethnology,educating,entertaining,etc..^?1?The first World War made the United Kingdom lose their superior status of tradition.Maintaining the solidarity and unity of Britain Empire would secure the country to endeavor to economic recovery and sustain the status of superpower.So,some of the plans made before the war which were devoted to strengthen the unity could get restarted.^?2?In1919 May,the proposal in the Imperial Club Meeting about holding a British Empire Exhibition in London got a wide base of support.It got different response from the domonion and colony that pushed the Exhibition out until 1924 and chose Wembley Park which located in the northwest of London as the final venue.This exhibition named the Strength,the Consolidation,and the development of Empire as the theme to construct a set of blueprint about the British's imagination of empire development.It was the largest propaganda activity of imperialism during the two World War that reflecting how the UK togethered the empire members after war and facilitating the appeal of internal trade and affiliation.It also presented a whole image of an independent and powerful empire which was dominated by Britain.However,the contradiction and impact existed in Exhibition stimulated the racial emotion in colony,which resulted in boycott and revealed the instability in relationship among empires during this period of time,and had impact on transition for British Empire.This dissertation is based on the papers from the UK National Archives and then newspapers and periodicals to analyze and expound the reasons why England holding the exhibition in 1924 to 1925,and the preparation combining with the existing research achievement.This paper also discusses the purpose of the different images shaped in the exhibition,the significance of the exhibition and the influence for transformation of the British Empire.The whole paper is divided into four parts:The first chapter elaborates the reason and purpose for England holding this Empire Exhibition.The second chapter narrates the preparing process,the response from empire members,and the process of chosing the location for holding the Exhibition.The third chapter detailedly discusses how to shape a whole image of British Empire and their members in the Exhibition.The forth chapter comprehensively analyzes the positive evaluation for the Empire Exhibition in Britain,and the empire members'attitude to the resisting events that bring a negative influence to Empire unity.