The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition and the Colonial Exhibition of Philippine Education

Abstract

The United States has been known for organizing International Exhibitions or World Fairs, particularly during the 20th century, where it showcased its various achievements as an imperialist nation. In 1915, the United States hosted the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, California. The Philippines was included as one of the displays, mainly centered on the education system—an area the American colonial government had prioritized since its annexation. The Bureau of Education organized the details of the exhibit under the directorship of Frank L. Crone. This paper examines the Philippine exhibit on the education system at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. It addresses key questions such as: Why did the American colonial government include the education system of the Philippines as one of the exhibits? What is the implication of exhibiting the educational system in an international exposition? And what is the relevance of the Philippines in this Exposition? The study uses the physical copy published by the Press of Marnell & Company in 1915, a series of articles prepared by Frank L. Crone, annual government reports, speech manuscripts, and scholarly literature to explore the Philippine exhibit in the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. This paper contributes to a deeper understanding of the Philippines' role as a U.S. colony in international expositions.