Originally exhibitions were held to show off the power of host countries, but as the imperialist powers extended their colonies, they began to collect and display various items to show the vastness of their territories to their nation and the outside the world.
博覧会は元々その開催国の国力を誇示するという性格を有していたが、帝国主義列強の植民地支配が拡大すると、その支配領域の広大さを内外に示すために様々な物品が集められ展示されるようになる。