Abstract:

Republican governments started joining international fairs starting from the year 1925 with the motive of improving trade, as well as exhibiting Turkish products, strengthening political relations and introducing the new Republic in the international field. With the participation of 60 nations, 33 states and many companies, the 1939 New York World's Fair was one of the most wide-ranging fairs ever organized. Turkey participated to thisfair with the structures it named as Devlet Panyonu (State Pavilion) and Türk Sitesi (Turkish Site). It was aimed to describe the progress achieved by Turkey within a period of 15 years using various means, while productions belonging to Turkish geography and culture were also exhibited. Turkey participated to this fair, which was organized during an uneasy period prior to World War II, and it aimed to make a demonstration of itself both to the American public and to the international field. By doing so, Turkey primarily tried to acquire the politicalsupport of the United States of America, which makes this fair interesting. For this reason, Turkey's purpose of participating to this fair, its manner of participation, Turkey's expectations from the fair within the context of Turkish-American relations and the reflections of Turkey's participation to this fair in Turkish and American press are the topics of this study.