The Construction of American Imperialism Narratives at the 1915 Panama-California Exposition

In the early 20th century, the United States was undergoing a critical transition in its imperial trajectory, with its expansion actions facing domestic opposition. The 1915 Panama-California Exposition, initially an attempt by San Diego to elevate its status, objectively became a cultural-political performance that supported the empire’s legitimacy. Under the theme of “Human Progress,” the exposition employed architectural design and exhibits to craft a tripartite narrative logic: the primitiveness of the Native American, the continuity of Spanish colonial history, and the technological advancement of America. This narrative served to rationalize the country’s overseas expansion. The exposition propelled the modernization of San Diego in the short term and reframed imperialist expansion as a “civilizing mission” that the public could accept.