OSMANLI İMPARATORLUĞU SERGİ KOMİSYONU RAPORU’NA GÖRE 1893 ŞİKAGO DÜNYA FUARI’NDA SERGİLENEN TÜRK ÜRÜNLERİ VE DERSAADET TİCARET ODASI’NIN ROLÜ
ACCORDING TO THE REPORT OF THE OTTOMAN EMPIRE EXHBITION COMMISSION, TURKISH PRODUCTS EXHIBITED AT THE 1893 CHICAGO WORLD FAIR AND THE ROLE OF THE DERSAADET CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Summary/Abstract: The Ottoman Empire participated in the 1893 Chicago World Fair, organized on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the American continent, with a wide range of products. The world fair, which opened its doors to visitors on May 1, 1893, was visited for 6 months. The importance of this fair for the Ottoman Empire was that it was a means for the search for new markets and non-European allies. During the fair, where Sultan Abdulhamid II desired to reflect the power of the Empire and to show the contemporary and developed image of the country, examples of Ottoman architecture were also included. In a sense, Ottoman culture and architecture were exhibited here along with the products. 15 thousand products identified by the Dersaadet [Istanbul] Chamber of Commerce, which was established in line with the development policy deemed necessary by the private sector, were exhibited at the exhibition. As a result of the joint work of the Dersaadet Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Commerce, an English booklet titled “Ottoman Empire Exhibition Commission Report” was published to be distributed at the fair, introducing Turkish products. This booklet did not only introduce the rich and fertile lands and agricultural products of the Ottoman Empire, it also included industrial and technological products. The report, written by the Secretary of the Ottoman Exhibition Commission Hohannes T. Pushman, was brought to light for the first time with this article. The report included a wide range of products ranging from Ottoman grain products such as corn, wheat, rice and barley to confectionery and tobacco products; from wool, mohair and goat hair to silk products; from oil and soap products to dried fruit and figs and opium; from mineral products to wood carving. The most important sections of the report were the navy, defence industry, and telegraph and electricity sections. The products produced in Ottoman factories, which reflected the Empire’s technological development would amaze visitors. Sultan Abdulhamid II, who wanted to take the image of the Ottoman Empire to a new level with his participation in the Chicago World Fair, achieved this due to the industrialization he achieved in 15 years. At the end of the report, official data on Turkish agricultural products were published for the first time, in line with the reports from 16 Ottoman provinces. This was important in terms of showing the productivity of Ottoman lands and the variety of agricultural products. Agricultural statistics were also included in the article. As a result at the turn of the 20th century, the report, which reveals the status of the Ottoman industry, agriculture and other sectors, is an important document in terms of showing that Sultan Abdulhamid II's efforts bore fruit.

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