The economic spectacle: the First National Industrial Exhibition during the Brazilian Empire, in 1861

The article analyzes the first National Industrial Exposition in Brazil, which occurred in 1861 and was designed to prepare Brazilian industrialists for a global exposition in London the following year. The imperial government sponsored the event and the Sociedade Auxiliadora da Industria Nacional and the Imperial Instituto Fluminense de Agricultura organized it. This paper explores the political and economic impact of this first exhibition by examining data on government investment in the event and analyzing the natural products and resources described in the General Report of the National Exposition of 1861 and the Special Jurys Report.

Keywords:
National Industry Exposition; Universal Exhibitions; nineteenth century